Racing authorities have set up a Safety Review Group in the wake of the death of two jockeys after riding accidents recently.
The group will review all aspects of safety, including riding helmets, after the falls that claimed the lives of Kieran Kelly and Sean Cleary in the space of three months. The group has been set up by the stewards of the Governing Bodies (the Turf Club and Irish National Hunt Steeplechase Committee).
It is made up of chairman D Ivo O'Sullivan, Galway racecourse manager John Moloney, trainer Dermot Weld, jockey Conor O'Dwyer, consultant neurosurgeon Jack Phillips, Turf Club medical officer Dr Walter Halley, senior Turf Club clerk of the course Joseph Collins, Turf Club chief executive Denis Egan and INHS registrar Sean Barry.
They will report to the stewards by February 28th. The areas which will be addressed include: standard and suitability of riding equipment, safety limits, track layouts, programming, medical facilities on the racecourse, maximum and minimum weights for Flat and National Hunt racing, apprentice claims, parade ring safety and general safety.
Representative associations involved in racing will be invited to meet the group and written submissions are invited from any other interested parties.