LAST Friday week, to mark the opening of the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe weekend, Ambassador Patricia O’Brien, in conjunction with Irish Thoroughbred Marketing, hosted a prestigious reception for the Irish-French equestrian sectors at the Irish Embassy in Paris.

The purpose of this embassy event is to build relationships between French horse trainers, jockeys and industry professionals and Enterprise Ireland client companies; to generate positive word of mouth for Irish equine companies within the French equine community; to create awareness of Ireland’s innovative capabilities in the equine world and to accelerate existing exports to France for Irish clients in the equine sector.

France is one of the three biggest equine markets in Europe with 241 racecourses in France, in comparison to Ireland’s 27. The French horse feed market alone, is estimated to be worth €65 million.

Reception

About 100 people from across the industries gathered for the reception to renew friendships and to develop and enhance business links. Guests included the Aga Khan, trainer Dermot Weld, senior representatives of France Galop as well as many other high-profile owners, trainers and breeders. A number of important buyers of Irish horses from North America and Asia also dropped in.

In her speech, Ambassador O’Brien outlined the economic importance of the racing/bloodstock industry to Ireland, reminding the audience that it employs in the region of 29,000 people and has a value of almost €1.8bn per annum. She highlighted the importance of the Tripartite agreement between Ireland, Britain and France regarding current free movement of horses for breeding and racing, as well as the challenges that Brexit poses to such movement.

She also referred to the the Aga Khan’s important support and sustained engagement with Irish racing as well as the excellent work of Irish Thoroughbred Marketing in promoting Irish horses overseas.

Squawk

OVERHEARD at Tattersalls on Wednesday after Harry McCalmont, through his Norelands Stud, sold a Golden Horn half-brother for 3.1 million guineas: “Yessss! Now I can get that new Range Rover.”

Harry McCalmont, Norelands Stud \ carolinenorris.ie