GBGB is today announcing amendments to the running of its nationwide Injury Retirement Scheme (IRS), previously known as the Injury Recovery Scheme.

The IRS provides financial assistance to any owner whose greyhound has sustained a career-ending orthopaedic injury at a GBGB-licensed racecourse. It aims to ensure that, wherever possible, greyhounds can go on to enjoy their retirement following a career-ending injury.

Since its launch in 2018, GBGB has paid out over £1.1 million through the IRS to support the veterinary treatment of registered greyhounds.

The key changes are as follows:

  • Any IRS claim must now be made within six months of the injury occurring – this allows for circumstances where the owner/trainer wishes to assess the greyhound following recovery and rehabilitation.

 

  • A greyhound which has a successful IRS application now may be used at stud or as a brood bitch on the condition that it has a ‘Fit to Breed’ assessment conducted by a veterinary surgeon. A copy of this assessment should accompany the submission of the individual greyhound’s retirement form to GBGB’s Welfare Department.

 

GBGB would like to remind all owners and racecourses that:

  • An application to the IRS may only be made if the owner/trainer agrees (i.e. not by the racecourse without consulting the owner/trainer first) and the greyhound has not trialled or raced since the injury.

 

  • An IRS claim is submitted on the basis that, once made, the greyhound will be marked inactive on GBGB databases and will not be permitted to race or trial again in any jurisdiction, even if it appears to have made a complete and successful recovery from its injury.

 

Paula Beniston, GBGB Welfare Manager, said:

“We have always welcomed feedback from various stakeholder groups on the mechanics of the scheme and how it can best work to benefit as many greyhounds as possible. We were pleased to have also had the input of both the GBGB Owner and Trainer Practitioners throughout this review.

“If any owner has any questions about the IRS or on how to make an application, we encourage them to contact the Welfare Department and we can advise accordingly.”

The full terms and conditions are available on the IRS Application Form which can be found on the GBGB Portals or by contacting GBGB’s Welfare Department by email: welfare@gbgb.org.uk or calling 020 7822 0900.