“We have decided against the banning of such phones as we are not aware of any instances where the phones have been used to compromise the integrity of racing,” Turf Club senior steward Ray Rooney said at a media briefing in Dublin.

“If we became aware of evidence that they were being misused here, we would seriously consider introducing a ban.

“We fully understand the predicament which the Jockey Club found themselves in where it was clearly stated in court that mobile phones were being used for such purposes and in our view they had to take action in some shape or form.”

But the Turf Club may follow the Jockey Club on the betting exchanges by possibly having a Memorandum of Understanding.

“The Turf Club has had discussions with two betting exchange operators with the view to entering into a Memorandum of Understanding similar to that entered into by the Jockey Club,” said Rooney.

Under this, the operators would be in a position to provide information to the turf club “on request if we feel that the integrity of racing has been compromised.

The stewards have decided at this time to delay a decision into formally entering into such a Memorandum of Understanding for a number of reasons.”

Rooney continued: “The level of betting transacted on Irish racing on the betting exchanges is small relative to that in Britain and we are anxious to see how the system works there prior to entering into such an arrangement here.”

In the event of the Turf Club making such arrangement with the exchanges, they believe: “It may also be possible to enter into a similar arrangement with licensed bookmakers here.”