Martin Heydon

Horse Racing Ireland (HRI) has received approval from the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon TD, to proceed with the development of a second all-weather track in Ireland at Tipperary Racecourse. The approval of the final business case is the last permission required under the Government's Infrastructure Guidelines. It will allow HRI to complete the procurement process with a main contractor and the specialist sub-contractors providing the lighting and surface for the new track. It is expected that contracts will be signed in early-December, at which point...

The Department of Agriculture and the Revenue Commissioners have removed the need for a guarantee for the temporary admission of horses in particular circumstances, the Irish Thoroughbred Breeders Association (ITBA) announced via presser on Friday. With the waiver, pure-bred horses for sporting events, breeding, training, grazing, or for performance of work or transport will no longer require a security deposit on import. Horses participating in sporting events will require proof of the scheduled attendance at the race meeting/sporting event to qualify for temporary admission. Bloodstock entering for breeding, training, grazing,...

The Irish Equine Centre, opened in 1983, will host a 40th anniversary celebration at its headquarters in Johnstown, Naas Co. Kildare on the afternoon of Wednesday, Sept. 13. In addition to the centre's founders, trustees, board members and staff members expected to be in attendance, the Irish Equine Centre has formally invited Martin Heydon, Minister of State with responsibility for farm safety, as the guest of honour and to speak about the centre's commitment to protecting the national equine herd for the past four decades. Leo Powell of The Irish...

Edited Press Release Simon Harris, Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, and Minister for State in Agriculture, Food and the Marine Martin Heydon were interested observers at the Curragh last week as the racing industry's education and skills cohort showed off their wares. The event was hosted by equuip, Horse Racing Ireland's education and training department, and brought together many elements of the learning community in the racing and breeding industry. Minister Harris and Minster Heydon met students, apprentices and graduates from a host of industry...