Staff crisis is a symptom of a far greater malaise within the industry

Irish racing's staffing predicament is as widespread as it is complex.

In summary, improved secondary school retention rates and the abolition of university fees in 1996 preceded the influx of a hard-working stream of foreign nationals.

Then the recession hit and visa restrictions curbed that supply line, laying bare the extent to which racing is losing its appeal to the indigenous population. Times have changed, and racing hasn't evolved sufficiently to compete effectively in the modern Irish labour market.