Sir, - I would like to commend Yellowford and Drumlin Farms for their recent initiative, highlighted in The Irish Field on January 4th and interestingly republished by Jour de Galop in France.

By dedicating a portion of race prize money to breeders, Frank Motherway and Conor Cashman set a strong example of how targeted incentives can support breeders and sustain the National Hunt industry.

In recent years, National Hunt breeders have faced an increasingly selective and shrinking market, rising costs, and difficulties in accessing quality breeding stock. There is no such thing as guaranteed success in the sales ring, and to ensure the long-term health of the industry, it is essential to provide targeted support that sustains breeders and encourages new entrants, who may be discouraged by the current risk-versus-reward imbalance.

A renewed approach from Horse Racing Ireland [HRI], in collaboration with the ITBA National Hunt Committee, could address these challenges effectively.

Expanding breeder premiums and providing support at all levels, from grassroots upwards, would give breeders the financial incentives needed to continue their work and improve the future of the sector.

While Ireland does not benefit from a structure like the PMU in France, there are still considerable opportunities to create a viable rewards programme. By engaging race sponsors and HRI, we can offer breeders the support they need while attracting new talent into the sector.

Breeding is a long-term investment, and we must ensure younger breeders see pathways to success.

A cooperative effort between HRI and the ITBA National Hunt Committee will be key to achieving this.

Allocating a percentage of race prize money to breeders, on a tiered basis depending on race conditions, seems like a sensible step forward. I believe race sponsors would also see the value in this as an opportunity to promote their message, just like Frank did! - Yours etc.,

Jamie Steele

Calluna House Stud

Kilmacthomas,

Co Waterford

Sir, - I am getting in touch with my annual update for your readers on the Punchestown Festival charity race.

The race was staged for the 33rd time in 2024 and won by Glen Norris on the Henry de Bromhead-trained Sompteux. Joan Tyner and Garry Cribbin finished second and third. Most importantly all our jockeys completed safely and enjoyed the privilege of riding at the Festival.

Our jockeys and supporters helped us to raise €103,748 in 2024 for the Punchestown Kidney Research Fund, yet another new record. This means that the cumulative total raised to date is €1,900,583 which is absolutely incredible.

During the past two years we have supported the following projects:

So many people deserve huge thanks for making the annual charity race such an unbelievable success. The Punchestown Kidney Research Fund enjoys the privilege of being permitted to run our charity race during the Festival at Punchestown. Great credit is due to all the team at Punchestown who make our raceday so special, as well as all the staff at the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board who so generously volunteer their services on the day, and also the staff at Horse Racing Ireland and the Racing Academy and Centre of Education, who ensure our race meets all the guidelines.

We are very grateful to all the owners and trainers who have given continued support to our race. We would like to acknowledge the various forms of media, whose coverage of our race is hugely important, both to the charity and to all those people awaiting life-saving transplants.

On behalf of the charity, I would like to thank everyone who has contributed to the Punchestown Kidney Research Fund in any small way at all. This has helped us to support various projects which, in turn improves the quality of life for those patients living with kidney illness and also helps us to create positive organ donor awareness in Ireland.

I wish everyone continued good health. - Yours etc.,

James Nolan

Chairman,

Punchestown Kidney Research Fund

CHY 166113