Evidence suggests more claimers needed

Sir, - I read with interest your editorial under the headline ‘Road to Oblivion’ in your September 1st edition.

In recent years Irish racing has been brought down a path similar to the new parade ring at the Curragh – one that is not level and is far too small for all those who wish to participate.

Your suggestion that there is a shortage of owners to get involved in Irish racing is certainly not reflected by the fact that there were 23 ‘owners’ who left Laytown Races last Thursday having been unsuccessful with their respective claims in the ‘affordable’ claiming race.

I, and the statistics, would suggest that there is in fact a shortage of these lower priced claiming events for all those who wish to get involved.

Furthermore, increasing the ‘appeal’ for keeping or having a moderate handicapper in training would greatly benefit both smaller trainers and owners alike.

Running 45-65 (not 45-70, those familiar with the 65 and 70 capping systems will understand the huge differences between the two brackets, i.e. ballot protection) handicaps at weekends at the premier tracks, and something as simple as ‘premium’ (increased prize money) 45-65 handicaps at the big festivals (such as Galway), would provide an incentive for people to keep such horses in training.

The reality of racing is that the majority of horses will always be low-grade horses and suggestions as simple as the ones above would go a long way to increasing the liquidity in the bottom tier of Irish racing, therefore encouraging more people to get, or more importantly stay, involved in the sport we all love. – Yours etc.,

JAMES MESCALL,

The Curragh,

Co Kildare.

Memorabilia

deserves a home

Sir, - Congratulations on a fascinating feature on Nick O’Toole’s extraordinary, lifetime collection of racing memorabilia. It deserves to be on display to public view, ideally at the Headquarters of Irish racing, ‘Where Champions Are Made’.

Should this come to pass, I would be delighted to supplement it with my collection of racing newspapers amassed over a similar length of time. Older readers may recall that during the soccer season we in Ireland had to resort to the Sporting Chronicle, when the Sporting Life became a prohibited publication, because it carried coupons for the football pools. – Yours etc.,

GUY WILLIAMS,

Monasterevin,

Co. Kildare.

Opportunity for Curragh museum

Sir, - I refer to your feature in The Irish Field [September 8th, pages A16-17] about the vast amount of racing memorabilia collected by Nick O’Toole.

The Curragh has exhibited some of these items at various times in the past and it is hoped there will be a permanent home or museum for rare Irish racing memorabilia when the new Curragh Racecourse is officially opened next year.

– Yours etc.,

DECLAN O’CONNELL,

Lakeside Park,

Newbridge,

Co Kildare.