Meeting Minutes
IGOBF Delegates Zoom Meeting
DATE: May 21st 2025
TIME: 9pm
Meeting was opened by Chairman Damien Matthews.
Apologies from Theresa, Claire, Cian.
Members reviewed key logistical elements of the upcoming AGM, scheduled for Wednesday, May 28th at 7:30 Pm, in Thurles greyhound stadium, emphasising the need for strong attendance.
Final nominations for officer positions must be confirmed no later than Monday by email to igobfsecretary@gmail.com
Supporters from the Mullingar track expressed interest in joining the Federation. The group agreed that the proper next step is for Mullingar stakeholders to establish a formal Greyhound Owners and Breeders Association and submit an official membership application for consideration.
There was consensus on the necessity of establishing a more robust lobbying effort, including engaging a dedicated full-time lobbyist who can meet directly with politicians to provide accurate, compelling information about the greyhound racing industry. As part of this effort, several supporting materials are to be developed: an informational booklet showcasing the positive impact of greyhound racing on families and local communities; a profile series highlighting the post-racing lives of retired greyhounds to underscore welfare commitments; a comprehensive listing of countries where greyhound racing remains active; and a historical archive of benefit night data from 2014 onward, detailing funds raised, allocations, beneficiary organisations, and visual documentation.
Damien reported to the delegates that Deirdre and himself had a brief informal meeting with Tim Lucey on May 21st.
They presented him with a summarised outline of all the ongoing industry issues along with proposals to help, that the IGOBF have brought to meetings with GRI and little has improved. They explained to him the frustrations of stakeholders because of this
The ongoing difficulties in staffing and maintaining racing venues were discussed at length. GRI continues to face challenges in recruiting and retaining skilled maintenance and technical personnel—a problem that reflects wider labour shortages across industries. Concerns were also raised about who is ultimately responsible for overseeing track maintenance across GRI-managed venues, with ambiguity surrounding accountability and leadership in this critical area.
Additionally, the recent track assessment report, which was expected to guide improvements, has yet to be shared with stakeholders. This lack of follow-through has caused frustration and confusion among members eager to address safety and performance issues on their tracks.
To ensure a consistent standard across the country, the group emphasised the need for standardised equipment and uniform training programs for all grounds personnel.
Special attention was given to the Kilkenny redevelopment project, where vital funding has not yet been released by the Department of agriculture to GRI.Damien briefed the group on his meeting with Michael Lowry, who was very surprised at this and promised follow up with the Department of Agriculture.
The Federation reiterated its commitment to improving its online visibility and storytelling capacity. Each affiliated GOBA is expected to designate a representative to curate and forward content to the Federation’s Public Relations Officer, Jeannie. These efforts aim to streamline content creation and ensure consistent, compelling messaging across platforms.
Jeannie continues to actively promote the industry on social media but emphasised the ongoing need for fresh, diverse content from within the community. To support this, the Federation will explore opportunities to include interactive elements such as QR codes and story snippets on race cards, inviting public engagement and promoting transparency. Additionally, the Deirdre will coordinate with GRI to develop a standard advertisement for race cards encouraging attendees to contribute stories, photos, and other materials suitable for online platforms.
Hughie Kelegan explained how well Galway circuit is running under James Murray’s management. James will now also managing Limerick, where he is responsible for both race card preparation and supervision of track maintenance across Galway and Limerick.
Tommy Hegarety detailed that Limerick have an additional Friday night fixture each month, designated to help manage SIS runner demand.
Thurles is expected to benefit from an SIS meeting, possibly due to Limerick losing a prior fixture.
Damien Matthews reported that the SIS-streamed racing in April, which included major events like the Easter Cup, resulted in GRI receiving a €48,000 bonus from SIS. He also noted that SIS viewership figures for Kilkenny races have performed particularly well in Australia, indicating strong international traction.
Damien also informed the group that he has been working closely on resolving issues facing the Waterford Groups. These matters look most likely to be resolved, and this progress was acknowledged by Helen.
Meeting concluded
Meeting Minutes
Meeting Minutes – IGOBF Zoom Meeting
Date: April 23rd, 2025
Time: 9:00 PM
Meeting was opened by Chairman Damien Matthews.
Apologies from Theresa Holohan
- Annual General Meeting (AGM)
- It was agreed that the AGM will be held on May 28th at 7:30 PM.
- Proposed Venue: Thurles Greyhound Stadium.
Note: Venue confirmation is pending.
- Ongoing Issues with GRI
- Discussion focused on persistent issues raised with the GRI since 2019 that remain unaddressed.
- It was proposed to draft a comprehensive email outlining these ongoing concerns and to CC board members for visibility and accountability.
- Public Perception and Media Representation
- Concerns were raised regarding how both accidental contaminations and intentional doping violations are presented to the public in the same tone, creating a negative image of the greyhound racing industry.
- Race Comments and Form Lines
- Members discussed the accuracy of race comments and placements.
- Damien will speak with Derek Frehil to have this corrected.
- Possibility of automating the identification of the lead dog was also discussed.
- Dylan Quirk Foundation
- Damien Mathews shared that during the upcoming fundraising event, one race per track will feature double prize money on the night.
- TIP-GOBA Rehoming Update
- Geoff reported progress on the TIPP-GOBA rehoming initiative:
- 18 homes sourced.
- Due to summer heat, transport is postponed until September 30th, with rehoming planned for Italy.
- GRI Youth Forum Committee
- GRI is initiating a Youth Forum Committee.
- Each track or GOBA is encouraged to nominate one youth (age 18–32) to participate and represent their group.
- Private Track Contribution increase to be followed up.
Meeting concluded
Meeting Minutes
Present
Tim Lucey (Chief Executive Officer, RCÉ)
John Tuohey (Chief Financial Officer/Deputy CEO, RCÉ)
Pat Herbert (Director of Regulation, RCÉ)
Pat Meskell (Director of Veterinary Services, RCÉ)
Derek Frehill (Director of Racing, RCÉ)
Orla Strumble (Head of Marketing, RCÉ) (in part)
Aisling Leonard (taking minutes, RCÉ)
Damian Matthews (Chairperson, IGOBF)
Deirdre Leahy (Secretary, IGOBF)
Geoff Parnaby (IGOBF)
Brendan Mansell (IGOBF)
A meeting between Rásaíocht Con Éireann (RCÉ) & the Irish Greyhound Owners & Breeders Federation
(IGOBF) took place at Limerick Greyhound Stadium at 1:00pm on Tuesday 25th February 2025.
The CEO of RCÉ Mr Tim Lucey, welcomed & thanked the IGOBF for attending the meeting,
acknowledging their ongoing support for RCÉ. The IGOBF, in turn, expressed appreciation to RCÉ for
hosting the meeting & suggested that holding meetings more regularly—three to four times a year—
would help maintain a shorter agenda. It was agreed that RCÉ would draft & provide a note of the
meeting to the IGOBF.
The following matters on the agenda as put forward by both RCÉ & the IGOBF were discussed:
1. Strategic Plan
The strategic plan was delayed by DAFM, but the draft has since been reviewed & updated.
Initially set to commence in 2022, the original draft strategic plan was developed during a
particularly challenging period for the industry. The revised draft now reflects the current
industry landscape & outlines a positive, forward-looking strategy for 2025–2029.
Submissions from the IGOBF were taken on board during the review process. This updated
plan will be submitted to DAFM, who will have up to 12 weeks to provide feedback
2. Overview of Financial Position
John Tuohey, Chief Financial Officer, provided an overview
of GRI’s financial position.
• Mr Tuohey reported that the 2024 Annual Report is at the draft stage & figures cannot be
released until final approval by DAFM for publication
• Prizemoney exceeded the budget, with over €9.5 million allocated in 2024. The RCÉ Board
contributed €7.9 million to the prizemoney fund, while €1.67 million came from entry fees
& sponsors. Prizemoney contribution from RCÉ’s Board will increase to €8.2 million for 2025
• Care & welfare expenditure accounts for 20% of the Horse & Greyhound Fund & has
increased each year over the past four to five years. This trend is expected to continue without decline.
• The Horse & Greyhound Fund has increased to €19.8 million for 2025. €1 million
ringfenced for capital investment as a requirement of the fund. A program is being
developed to determine the best use of these funds.
• The commercial side needs further development, with 50% of our activities currently
based in Shelbourne Park (SPK). There is an opportunity to do more there since the
Note of Meeting between RCÉ & IGOBF on 25th February 2025 redevelopment, but time is needed to develop a commercial plan to increase overall turnover from SPK.
3. PR Update
Orla Strumble, Head of Marketing joined the meeting to discussed PR challenges with the
IGOBF, emphasising how negative online sentiment can influence public perception &
potentially harm the organisation’s reputation. She outlined the potential consequences of
unfavourable digital discourse, including misinformation & stressed the importance of
proactive communication strategies. She also underscored the need for collaborative efforts
with stakeholders to share positive stories to help uphold positive public image.
4. Prizemoney
The IGOBF voiced its frustration over the lack of an increase in prizemoney despite the
contract with SIS generating income from 12 meetings per week, it is felt this revenue is not
translating into higher prizemoney, with no increases to graded races ie: A10. The IGOBF
noted that prizemoney has not returned to pre-COVID levels. They also highlighted the rising
cost of living, stating that trainers are leaving the industry due to financial pressures & a
perceived lack of return or commitment from RCÉ.
The CEO Mr Lucey commented that welfare spend & attendance levels are now very different
compared to pre-COVID levels & there is no opportunity for a significant increase in funds. It
was agreed that the existing pool of money needs to be distributed strategically to achieve
the best value. This may require sessions within the industry to better understand what the
want is from the prizemoney fund. The racing model for the next 4-5 years was also discussed,
with the Director of Racing suggesting that reducing the number of races per meeting from 12 to 10 could allow for a redistribution of funds to other areas. It was agreed that this would
need to be analysed track by track.
It was noted that the SIS contract is in place until the end of 2026 & there will be no new
contract until 2027.
5. Barking Buzz
The IGOBF raised issues with the Barking Buzz platform, including the ability for up to five
people to log onto a single account & the €1 viewing charge per race. The IGOBF stated that
the platform is not fit for purpose. The CFO, Mr John Tuohey responded that RCÉ is currently
in talks with a company to obtain a secure, sustainable & functional platform. The IGOBF
suggested introducing a €10 charge per meeting to view all races or a monthly membership
fee for access to the Barking Buzz platform.
The CEO, Mr Lucey noted that work is ongoing, with RCÉ having spent the last few months
assessing the feasibility & determining what needs to be done. The first priority is to establish
a stable platform & further enhancements or features within the platform can be addressed
afterward.
The IGOBF suggested a You Tube channel for Shelbourne Park on Saturday nights. Mr Lucey
stated that RCÉ is open to every opportunity.
6. Regulations & Track Maintenance
a. Sweepstakes Structure – The IGOBF asked to integrate the first multiples of 6 (48-24),
with the first three positions from there on (36-24), excluding dropouts. The Director
Note of Meeting between RCÉ & IGOBF on 25th February 2025
Racing Mr Derek Frehill stated that vacant traps can be an issue & added that if the
IGOBF believes owners would be willing to attend even if they finish in 5th place, he
can explore this further. It was agreed that for races with over €5k in prizemoney,
non-runners could not be re-entered.
b. Rescheduling – The IGOBF requested that cancelled meetings be rescheduled & added
to the following week’s racing. Mr Frehill stated that this is not always possible due to
the racing pools. However, he suggested increasing the number of races from 10 to 12 for the next few meetings instead of adding a new meeting which may help any backlog.
c. The addition of the third bend sectional to the line of form – There is no room on the
RMS system to add the third-bend sectional to the line of form. To accommodate this,
RCÉ will either need to remove comments or combine the first & third sections. Mr
Frehill will review the options & will revert to the IGOBF for further discussion.
d. Novice Races – The IGOBF stated Novice racing has improved, but the mixing of pups
with race dogs is undermining the system. The grading bands may need some slight
adjustments.
e. Trials – The IGOBF suggested that local management of trials could help clear the
backlog caused by weather-related cancellations. This might be achieved by allowing
for an earlier start, if feasible. Mr Frehill stated that trials & racing are dependent on
staffing numbers, with time also needed for track maintenance.
The meeting then concluded.
