In Ireland, the ongoing problem with road racing could lead to a stronger regulated Standardbred breeding and racing industry.

If you’ve followed Standardbreds long enough, you’ve probably seen images of the illegal sulky races that take place on public roadways in Ireland. Now, according to a report, the government is on the cusp of taking measures to crack down on the dangerous spectacle, and the move could help tighten regulation of the breed overall.

According to an article by the Irish Times, Independent TD Mattie McGrath is planning on introducing a bill this week that will call for the banning of the renegade races.

It has been said that the bill will propose imprisonment or a €5,000 fine for those found guilty of breaching the law.

McGrath has said that his push for stricter laws has come due to the constant complaints he receives about the racing from the general public, and also because of the fallout from a recent inquest into the 2016 death of 12-year-old boy that was killed in a sulky accident on a roadway in Dublin. Last year, the Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals last year also let it be known that they wanted a ban on sulky racing on public roads.

The Irish Times piece has explained that McGrath has reached out to the local Turf Club and has called on it to establish ‘proper’ racetracks that can then be regulated for racing.

(With files from the Irish Times)