FRUSTRATIONS are mounting among several trainers on the island of Ireland over being denied access to run in low-grade flat handicaps in Britain, with the policy particularly grating for handlers based in Northern Ireland.

Originally introduced as a Covid-19 related measure in 2020, Irish-trained horses had been locked out of Class 5 and 6 handicaps/classified stakes on the flat and Class 5 handicaps over jumps for more than two years until a u-turn was announced by the British Horseracing Authority in October 2022.

The British racing body had previously sought to maintain the restriction due to “overseas-trained runners consistently performing above statistical expectations when they were permitted to run” in these races, though the merits of those statistics were challenged by separate data analysts in Ireland.

As of the beginning of 2023, the blanket ban was lifted, but - crucially - not for “times of year where there are insufficient opportunities for British trained runners - i.e. September 1 to December 31 on the flat”.

Marshall Watson, assistant trainer to his father Keith, is based north of the border in Co Armagh and has been vocal on how the existing restriction for 25% of the calendar year has had a direct impact on his operation.

“This situation is massively frustrating and one that goes well beyond a sporting issue - it’s a business issue,” Watson told The Irish Field.

“We’re paying our taxes in Britain yet are unable to compete in these races. I’ve been speaking with political figures in Northern Ireland and they’re not happy about this whatsoever.

Ownership impact

“We have owners in our yard who are based in the north of England and aren’t allowed to have their horses run. Even away from purely having runners, I’d sometimes trade horses to British yards when sending a runner over there and that avenue of business is now cut off for us as well.”

There have been multiple fixtures since the beginning of the month where low-grade races have not reached maximum field limits but Irish-trained runners are still unable to compete.

On Monday, dual-purpose trainer Leanne Breen, also based north of the border in Co Down, posted on X: “Surely it should be for the lower grades that if the race is oversubscribed, the overseas-trained horse is first removed in the balloting. At Laytown today, an English-trained horse runs while 30 Irish horses were balloted out.”

This week, The Irish Field asked the BHA to explain its evidence behind there being a supposed lack of opportunities for British-trained runners.

A spokesperson said: “It’s important that we always do what we can to provide sufficient opportunities for trainers licensed in Britain and this policy is one tool to manage what is historically a high level of eliminations at this time of year.

“As with many elements of race planning, this policy remains under constant review to ensure that it is delivering the best outcomes for the sport.”