HRI director Osborne stresses high welfare standards following launch of council

Horse Racing Ireland's John Osborne says the new Irish Thoroughbred Welfare Council has not been established to vilify those who currently work in the industry and stressed standards are extremely high among active thoroughbreds in Ireland.

Osborne, HRI director of equine welfare and bloodstock, is part of an eight-member body that will offer advice on equine welfare. The panel also includes Dermot Weld, who will represent the trainers, while HRI board member Caren Walsh will represent owners.

Des Leadon will be the voice for breeders and Lynn Hillyer, chief veterinary officer and head of anti-doping, will represent the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board. Alison Hanlon, associate professor at the UCD school of veterinary medicine, is also on the panel.

Osborne says standards are already high in Ireland when it comes to thoroughbred welfare but acknowledges things can also be improved upon.

He said: "What sometimes gets missed in these things is there are very high standards that already exist in the thoroughbred industry and the standards are extremely high among active thoroughbreds.

"Those who care for horses 24-7 often regard these sorts of bodies as a hint of criticism, which is certainly not the case. We have faith and trust in the people who work in the industry. Things are in good shape."

On the areas where he would like to see improvements made, Osborne said: "Traceability is the cornerstone of any decent stock control system. There are three things this comes down to – that we know thoroughbreds exist, that we know where they are and that we know who's responsible for them.

"Our traceability is not perfect and we want to improve that. It is one of the most achievable things we can improve upon in the short-term. We will also draft a written check-list of agreed standards of what's expected. I would be surprised and extremely disappointed if everyone didn't agree on those standards."

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