Turf Club appears to be on possible collision course with the Government

The Turf Club appears to be on a possible collision course with the government over the proposed Horse Racing Ireland Amendment Bill that's due to be put before the Oireachtas by the autumn and which could dramatically alter the way Irish racing's regulatory body operates.

Reports indicate the Turf Club’s current representation of five seats on Horse Racing Ireland’s 13-member board is projected to be cut under the proposed new legislation which also outlines how licence and registration fees, traditionally an independent source of income for the 224-year-old Turf Club, will in future be collected by HRI.

It's also believed the legislation will order the Turf Club to publish its accounts and submit them to the auditor general while its chief executive will be required to appear before the Dail's Public Accounts Committee if requested.

Speak publicly

A meeting of Turf Club stewards is expected to take place today and while no one was willing to speak publicly on the matter on the eve of Saturday’s €1.25 million Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby, the Curragh’s showpiece race of the year, there appears to be deep unease at the proposed legislation among members of a body which is responsible for the integrity and reputation of Irish racing.

King Leon is a long way down Ballydoyle’s talent pecking order but a step up to three miles could be just what he requires and Robbie Power’s mount is taken to win the T&V Novice hurdle over three mile at Kilbeggan tonight.

What appears a certainty is that King Leon’s saddling arrangements will be immaculate after last Wednesday’s Wexford cock-up where his stable-companion, Shield, had to be disqualified from a victory after weighing in 8lb light due to running without a weight-cloth, an error that saw Aidan O’Brien fined €2,000.

King Leon goes to Kilbeggan on the back of an all-the-way maiden hurdle victory at Ballinrobe.