Fast-changing political landscape poses threat to some old racing certainties

Last week's column, which took a look at some of the key events on the 'political' side of Irish racing as one decade merged into another, ended with an allusion to changing political permutations in wider society that could impact on the racing and breeding industries.

Following the announcement that the general election will take place on Saturday, February 8, this deserves a little more explanation.

For good or ill, the fortunes of Irish racing have been linked to political involvement for the past 75 years. This nexus was formalised in the legislation which brought Horse Racing Ireland into being in 2001, a development which has clearly had a largely positive influence, outweighing the negative provided by the culture of dependence it has arguably fostered.