Kavanagh confident funding will continue regardless of shape of new government

Brian Kavanagh: 'We have told the Department that we want to be included in any of these pilot programmes and the trialling of the return of spectators at sports events.'

Brian Kavanagh: confident that crowds will be present at Irish Champions Weekend and ListowelCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Horse Racing Ireland chief executive Brian Kavanagh does not expect the make-up of the new Irish government to have a negative impact on funding towards Irish racing, even if Sinn Féin come into power.

A government made up of Fianna Fáil, Sinn Féin and the Green Party is Paddy Power's 5-2 favourite to form the next government in Ireland following Saturday's general election and such a prospect has caused some anxiety in the Irish racing industry.

The success of Sinn Féin in the election, with the party winning the highest percentage of first preference votes, might not be great news for racing as some of its party members have been vocal in their criticism towards the amount of funding received by the Horse & Greyhound Fund in Ireland.

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David JenningsDeputy Ireland editor

Published on 10 February 2020inNews

Last updated 18:45, 10 February 2020

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