RACING GROUP ORGANISE PROTEST MARCH TO TURF CLUB

It`s all about integrity. Well, integrity and money. The rift between the Turf Club and supporters of the proposed new body (Horse Racing Ireland) to run the industry looks set to deepen with news that a protest march is being held before the quarterly general meeting of the Turf Club at the Curragh on Tuesday.

The protest will comprise owners, breeders, trainers, jockeys and stable staff who will hand a letter to the Turf Club outlining their deep dissatisfaction at the lack of progress being made in recent talks with Government officials.

Minister for Agriculture, Joe Walsh, reported on Wednesday that no headway was made in recent meetings with the Turf Club, who refused to relinquish `all current aspects of the administration of the registry office`. Peter McCarthy, chairman of the owners` association, turned up the heat on Friday with a statement calling for `a comprehensive independent review of the Turf Club`s functions`. McCarthy blamed the `undemocratic and elitist actions of the Turf Club Stewards` for a lack of viability in Irish Racing, and called for an independent firm of management consultants to review areas of cost-cutting and unnecessary expenditure.

The Turf Club has called for integrity services to be `ring-fenced` from the commercial considerations of the proposed new body. It seems,however, that some sectors of the industry appear fixated by the mighty pound sign, and one wonders how far they would be prepared to go in order to secure agreement with the Government. Only this week a press room colleague was reproached over an article which dared to question whole-hearted support of Horse Racing Ireland. Hopefully this is not an indication that freedom of the press and integrity services could be compromised by the new body.

Racing was abandoned at Punchestown on Monday after just one race due to the state of the ground. A group of senior jockeys met with the stewards when two runners fell just afterthe finishing line, and itwas agreed the ground was unsafe to continue. The collapsing of mole drains after recent rain was blamed. Holes of 18 inches in depth were found on the track, and a further meeting next week at the Co Kildare venue has also been cancelled. Dundalk and Fairyhouse have stepped in to fill the void.

The much needed upgrading of facilities at Dundalk racecourse took a step closer this week with the news that the local council has approved development plans. A #12 million scheme combining horse and greyhound racing will be partly financed by the building of houses and a hotel.

The betting ring will step into line with European Union law at the end of next month when pitches can be bought on the open market. At present a bookmaker must have served at least five years on course at the end of the line before buying their way up the pecking order. The new ruling should lead to a major shake-up in the ring, and hopefully the extra competition will result ina better deal for punters (chance would be a fine thing!).

The announcement of Sinndar`s retirement to Gilltown Stud this week came as no surprise. The move was in line with previous Derby winners of the Aga Khan, and the son of Grand Lodge will be available at a fee of #30,000. The dual Derby and `Arc` winner may just prove good value at that fee if his progeny inherit the soundness and determination that characterised his career. Incidentally the Aga Khan and rider John Murtagh teamed up for another notable success on Saturday when Kalanisi landed the Dubai Champion Stakes at Newmarket.