A Youghal bookmaker and former member of Waterford County Council has appealed to the Minister for Agriculture, Mr Walsh, to allow Irish horses to compete in the Cheltenham festival.
Mr Gary O'Halloran claims "political expediency" is behind the decision not to send Irish horses to the festival as there are no scientific grounds for keeping them at home. The claim was dismissed as "nonsense" yesterday by a spokesman for the Department of Agriculture.
Mr O'Halloran, who runs the Internet bookmaking service luvbet.com, admits his call is partly motivated by financial interest. He is also a farmer, however, and says other farmers share his view that Irish horses should be allowed to go.
"A number of farmers I know are totally disgusted at the situation because they know there is no logical reason for it. There is nothing to stop horses going and remaining in quarantine in England before they come back."
It is a "terrible shame", he says, that the sporting public should be denied the opportunity to see whether Istabraq, in particular, can establish a record by completing four wins in a row in one of the premier events of the festival, the Champion Hurdle. The Department spokesman, however, said people had been strongly advised not to go to Cheltenham because of the risk involved in mixing at close quarters with large numbers of people from around Britain and then returning home. The racing industry had responded by deciding not to participate, and the situation in Britain had worsened since the advice was issued last week.
Mr O'Halloran argues that Irish punters will travel in large numbers to Cheltenham in any event. The Department spokesman replied that without the presence of Irish horses, the incentive for Irish people to travel would be much reduced.
