The Minister for Agriculture, Mr Walsh, admitted yesterday he had no power to stop the Irish horse Istabraq travelling to Cheltenham. Speaking before the cancellation of the Cheltenham festival Mr Walsh urged trainers, owners and punters not to travel to the festival.
"Horses do not spread infection and are passive to the disease; nevertheless, I strongly advise people not to go to Cheltenham and that remains my position," he said.
He told a joint press conference with the Northern Ireland Minister of Agriculture, Ms Brid Rodgers, in Dundalk, that the traffic of horses, with associated bedding and fodder, would pose a risk. He had advised trainers and owners not to go and they had decided not to go.
He believed that as the trainers were not going to go, the punters were not likely to go either because their main interest would be in Irish horses. "As far as I know the majority of bookies are not going either," he said.
He said he was not under "any pressure whatsoever" in relation to the matter and Istabraq had become a cause celebre in this matter.
He was a well known horse and was a 1/4 on favourite to become the first horse to win the Champion Hurdle for the fourth time.
"I have restricted the movement of horses without a permit but in relation to any sporting activities, it is a matter in the final analysis for the individuals concerned," he said.