The Irish Turf Club has announced that a loudspeaker will be utilised by the Starter in all National Hunt races with effect from 1st June 2009.  The new system, which was trialed at the Fairyhouse Easter Festival and also used at the recent Punchestown National Hunt Festival, proved to be a big success on both occasions. The system is operated through a radio controlled microphone which the Starter will use to better communications between himself and the riders at the start.  It was purchased recently by the Irish Turf Club and is portable so can be transferred from racecourse to racecourse.

In other news the Stewards of the Governing Bodies have sanctioned a change to Rule 198 (v) which relates to Body Protectors. The Stewards, having consulted with the Turf Club Medical Officer, have decided that it is no longer compulsory for riders to wear shoulder pads in National Hunt or point-to-point races in Ireland.  Meanwhile, the Stewards have also sanctioned an alteration to Rule 198 (iii) (b) which deals with Stirrup Irons.  In addition to aluminium and steel, the use of stirrup irons manufactured from carbon fibre is now allowed.