'They've been phenomenal' - Irish owners hailed as government allows June return

Association of Irish Racehorse Owners manager Regina Byrne has hailed the patience shown by the group's members as "phenomenal" after the scheduled lifting of lockdown measures in Ireland signalled the end of an eight-month racecourse hiatus for owners.

Aside from a two-and-a-half week period between late September and early October, Irish owners have been unable to attend fixtures since March 17 of last year, but now they are set to return when government protocols on outdoor gatherings relax to permit 200 people on June 7.

Owners returned briefly to Irish racecourses last September, including at the Listowel harvest festivalCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Horse Racing Ireland has stated on numerous occasions that allowing owners back to meetings has been the body's first priority in terms of the current behind-closed-doors structure with clarity expected over the coming week on what exactly lies in store for the key industry group once restrictions ease.