Q: Why and when was this scheme introduced?

The scheme was launched in 1983 by Britain, France and Ireland as a self-help measure to support the racing industry, mainly two-year-old maiden races. Since then it has expanded to include Germany, Italy and Switzerland and now supports a strong performance of racing at all levels throughout Europe. Since its launch, the EBF has contributed over €100 million to the European racing industry. Irish Stallion Farms alone has contributed over €40 million of this money to Irish racing prize money.

Q: How is it funded and who organises it?

Every year the stallion owners in each country pay the equivalent of an average nomination fee from each stallion into the EBF fund of that country. In Ireland the fund money is used to sponsor over 340 National Hunt and flat races the following year. Only the progeny of EBF registered stallions can enter these races and benefit from the extra prize money. For 2016 the total prize money put into Irish racing by the Irish EBF will be over €1.7 million (over 370 races).

Each member country manages their own fund. Money collected from stallion owners goes directly into race sponsorship of that country. The Irish EBF is a not-for-profit organisation governed by strict rules and regulations overseen by a board of governors made up of stallion contributors. The main aim of the organisation is to support Irish racing through race sponsorship.

Q: What horses are eligible?

When a stallion is registered to the EBF all progeny resulting from that year’s coverings are automatically EBF-qualified for life. There are two deadlines each year for stallion owners to ensure their stallions are EBF registered.

  • June 30th - deadline for registering stallions to the EBF
  • Dec 15th - deadline for payment of EBF stallion contributions

    • If you buy a foal or yearling in the USA, for instance, that is not by one of the EBF registered stallions, you have suitable opportunities to qualify the horse.

  • Feb 15th - deadline for nominating two-year-olds for $3,000
  • May 1st - deadline for nominating yearlings for $600
  • June 30th - deadline for nominating two-year-olds for $6,000

    • Once a horse is EBF-qualified it is eligible to run in any EBF-confined race throughout Europe. Over 80% of two-year-old races are confined to EBF-eligible horses numbering nearly 1,000 races per year.

    Q: Has it been well

    supported?

    Yes, the majority of stallions in Ireland are subscribed to the scheme and continue to support the efforts of the Irish EBF. Since its inception in 1983 the scheme has gone from strength to strength and continues to support the Irish racing industry every year through prize money.

    Q: Who has benefitted from the scheme?

  • The EBF puts on average €5 million back into racing throughout Europe in additional prize money in the form of sponsorship each year.
  • There is a full race programme for fillies in both listed races and handicaps in Britain, Ireland and France.
  • Over 80% of two-year-old races in each member country are confined to EBF-eligible horses only.
  • As well as the two-year-old maiden races that are supported, selected conditions races, novices and handicaps also receive significant added prize money from the EBF.
  • There is significant support for jump racing, again including a fillies and mares programme.
  • The EBF also supports selected veterinary research programmes, benefiting the racing and breeding industry.
  • In 2014 the EBF became a partner in the Destination Europe initiative aimed at encouraging overseas participation and investment in European racing.

    • Q: Why should owners/breeders support it?

    Owners and breeders should support the scheme so they can avail of the valuable prize money on offer for both flat and National Hunt racing. Because the money is added to the overall prize money, the additional EBF money benefits connections of horses placed first to fifth, and sometimes sixth place in more valuable races.

    The EBF also support a valuable €100,000 series for two-year-olds purchased at auction for €72,000 or less. This is to support horses purchased at the middle-to-lower end of the auction market and to give them a lucrative target at the end of their two-year-old campaign.

    They can support the scheme by ensuring they only select EBF-registered stallions for their mares. They can check the database of registered stallions on ebfstallions.com or call the Irish EBF office anytime.

    When purchasing at the sales please check the catalogue page to see which of these three categories the horse is in:

  • 1. EBF NOMINATED (by an EBF registered sire and fully eligible to enter any EBF sponsored race)
  • 2. CAN BE EBF NOMINATED (by a non-EBF registered sire, but can be nominated as a yearling or a two-year-old by paying a fee)
  • 3. No designation (not by an EBF registered sire and unable to enter any EBF race)

    • CONTACT DETAILS

    Tel: 045 910999

    web: ebfstallions.com