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Irish Prizemoney To Increase In 2022

Prizemoney in Ireland will reach €64.8-million in 2022, an increase from 2021 and second only to 2019 levels. That prizemoney will be paid out over 390 fixtures.

Horse Racing Ireland's 2022 budget also includes an increase in funding for the IRE Incentive Scheme, which will pay out €1.3-million in vouchers for Irish-bred horses at Irish sales; the scheme was worth €1.1-million this year. HRI will also increase funding for the point-to-point sector to a record €2.5-million. HRI will increase funds directed to industry education and training to €13.4-million, and approved a new €12-million racecourse capital development scheme.

“This is a strong budget which has its focus on restoring prizemoney, supporting growth for those earning their living in racing and breeding, investing in integrity and equine welfare, as well as a racecourse capital programme which is centred on ensuring appropriate industry facilities,” said Suzanne Eade, chief executive of HRI. “Framing the budget for the industry for 2022 was not without its challenges, but I'm very happy that we have been able to support the 390 fixtures scheduled for 2022 and with it the opportunities for horses and people at all levels of the industry, while at the same time increasing average prize money and bringing the total on offer to owners back to its second-highest level historically. We know from our ownership base the importance of prize money in attracting new people into our industry and retaining the owners already there, and in tandem with the prize money restoration, we will be investing in ensuring that owner base stays strong.

“Like most companies, we would have hoped to have been framing the industry budget for 2022 with the Covid-19 pandemic behind us but that sadly isn't the case. The impact of Brexit is far from behind us either in terms of its impact on the racing and breeding sector, so we had little hesitation in retaining the IRE Incentive Scheme for 2022 given the tremendous success it achieved in its first year of operation, with an uplift in the number of vouchers that will be paid out next year.

“After experiencing such huge difficulties in 2020 and early 2021, it was heartening to see the strong sales in the second half of the year, confirming the huge confidence there is in our product. There are other challenges too because of Brexit and insurance is one that we, and many other, industries are facing. We have extended our support to Point-to-Points to €2.5m–its highest level ever–recognising that insurance costs are a particular challenge in this sector.

“HRI is also conscious of the need to improve standards for all those working in the industry, especially when they go racing. We will therefore be launching a new €12m industry focused racecourse capital development scheme covering projects to be undertaken in 2022/23 to which HRI will provide €4.8m by means of 40% grant aid. This scheme will target improvements in key industry areas of the racecourse infrastructure such as the weigh room and stable yard, as well as financing work on the racetrack itself including the enhancement of watering systems.”

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Bet To Lose? Irish Trainer’s License Suspended Six Months Over Acepromazine Positive

The Irish Horse Racing Board has suspended the license of Cheltenham Festival-winning trainer Charles Byrne for six months over an acepromazine positive, reports the Racing Post.

Byrne's trainee Viking Hoard was eased in a handicap hurdle at Tramore in October of 2018, and regulatory vets noticed the horse has a slow heart rate. A post-race test showed the horse had a “dangerous degree of sedation” in his system during the race, evidenced by the presence of over 100 times the International Screening Limit of Hydroxyethylpromazinehydroxide (HEPS), a metabolite of acepromazine.

Viking Hoard was heavily bet to lose on that day, but no evidence was found linking Byrne to those wagers. Byrne admitted to leaving the horse alone on two occasions for a total of approximately 25 minutes after arriving at Tramore, which the IHRB characterized as “neglect of the trainer” which may have allowed an unidentified third party to administer the drug to the horse.

“The damage was financial in the case of affected punters, and reputational in the case of the racing industry,” read a statement from the IHRB. “This case illustrates the specific and additional challenges and dangers to the integrity of racing posed by the widespread ability to back horses to lose races for significant returns. The desirability of this practice or how it might be better controlled within the available regulatory resources is worthy of further, constant review.”

Ireland To Allow Owners From July 20

In line with government guidelines and re-opening procedures, Horse Racing Ireland has ammended a number of its COVID-19 protocols, and has revealed that from July 20 up to two owners per horse will be allowed on course for their race(s).

Before that, from July 1, the prohibition on racecourse attendees over the age of 70 will be removed; the limit on journalists and photographers will be increased to five from three; one representative of associations whose attendees are permitted to be at race meetings will be allowed; and premier handicaps will be opened to international runners in addition to all black-type races under both codes.

From July 20, two owners per horse will be permitted on course for their race(s) only. At this time, racecourses will be allowed to nominate up to five attendees which could include sponsors and racecourse board/committee members. Social-distanced trophy presentations for feature race will be permitted.

Current health screening and mask requirements will remain in place, and field sizes will remain limited to 18 with the exception of some feature races.

Brian Kavanagh, chief executive of Horse Racing Ireland, said, “Since we resumed racing in Ireland on June 8, the level of care and compliance with the Covid-19 protocols has been excellent and is appreciated by the Covid-19 teams in Horse Racing Ireland and the IHRB. While we’re announcing some easing of the restrictions today, it is very important that everybody continues to comply with the rules on the racecourse around social distancing and face masks, and the requirements around pre-health screening.

“We are delighted to be able to confirm today that owners will be permitted to return to the racecourse on July 20, with certain restrictions. Owners play a key role in Irish racing and their loyalty during this difficult period has been especially noteworthy, and from July 20 two owners per horse will be allowed to access the racecourse to see their horse run. We are working with racecourses around providing safe, achievable catering options for key personnel working at the racecourse and aim to have a consistent offering from July 20.”

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