Racing industry concerned about effect of Brexit on movement of horses

There is growing concern in the racehorsing industry about the effect Brexit could have on the movement of horses in and out of the United Kingdom.

Hundreds of horses are currently making their way to the Cheltenham Festival for one of the most important racing fixtures of the season.

It is a journey that can already take over 12 hours for the many thoroughbreds coming from Ireland.

When Britain leaves the EU, if the freedom of movement of horses isn't secured, the journey could take much longer.

Thoroughbreds benefit from a tripartite agreement between the France, the UK and the Republic of Ireland which allows them to travel freely between those countries for races.

Under an EU directive, those horses only need an EU passport and to be on a livestock database. They do not require a vet's export health certificate or customs documentation.

Trainer Jessica Harrington - who could become the most successful female trainer ever at Cheltenham this week if she gets one more win - thinks Brexit could have a huge impact on the industry.

"If we go back to what it used to be like pre EU - I used to travel with horses to England then - you used to have to have a vet at port," Harrington told Sky Sports. "You would be hanging around for a vet to clear you to get on the boat.

"The amount of times when I landed at Holyhead and Fishguard and they would have to do papers and if they were not in good humour, they did all the other lorries that just had goods in them first, not livestock.

"[A lot of the time] the papers were in one place and a man on a bike used to take them to other building to get them stamped.

"I know that now with computers it will be quicker but if we go back to having papers, it is going to delay the journey by two hours at the least. A journey that already takes a long time."

Horses travelling into the EU from third party countries are currently required to travel with additional certification and can only arrive at certain ports and airports.

The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) is worried that a hard border with Ireland would have an impact on the market for breeding horses.

In 2016, Irish-trained horses ran 1,471 times in Britain winning prize money of £15.3m (€17.4m). In reverse, there were 309 British runners at Irish race meetings winning €3.9m (£3.4m) in prize money.

Britain and Ireland also operate as one entity for stud book purposes. 65 per cent of Ireland's foal crop is exported, 80 per cent of that to Britain, worth €225m (£198m) every year.

Brian Kavanagh of Horse Racing Ireland said: "It's a game-changer in a number of areas. It's a game changer terms of movement of horses. It's a game changer on the value and export of horses. It's a games changer in the sourcing of staff to work in trainers and breeders yards.

"And it's a game-changer in terms of competition on the racetrack. It's a real worry and an issue that government needs to take very seriously and put on top of their agenda."