HRI employment opportunities

APPLICATIONS for Horse Racing Ireland’s 2024 student internship and graduate programmes close next Friday, February 9th.

For the well-established internship programme there are four paid placements available, running throughout the summer. Internships are available in Finance, HRI Ownership, Irish Thoroughbred Marketing and Operations & Estates at Leopardstown Racecourse. Students will benefit from mentoring by experienced professionals while developing their practical skills and gaining valuable experience in all aspects of the racing industry.

This is the inaugural year of the two-year Graduate Programme, which will give soon-to-be graduates or recent graduates the opportunity to gain experience across many aspects of the racing industry and receive on the job training from leaders in the business.

The programme will be broken down into streams, with programme streams offering a rotational experience across different areas.

Web: hri.ie/corporate/work-with-hri/jobs

Irish National Stud open house

BREEDERS are invited to the Irish National Stud to see its stallions parade daily during Goffs February Sale next Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, from 11am to 3pm daily. Contact 045 521251 to arrange your visit.

ITBA flat breeding seminar

THE Irish Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association, in conjunction with ITBA Next Generation, will host a flat breeding seminar on Tuesday, February 6th, at Goffs (6pm).

Kevin Blake will chair the event and will be joined by Cathal Beale (CEO Irish National Stud), Helena Burns (Anglesey Lodge Equine Hospital and Loughtown Stud), Dermot Cantillon (Tinnakill Stud), Matt Coleman (Stroud Coleman Bloodstock), and Barry Mahon (Juddmonte).

Titled ‘Flat Breeding for the Modern Marketplace’, the seminar will look at a variety of different topics including what to look for when buying mares, stallion selection, costs associated with breeding, the health of the flat sector, and breeding for the future.

All are welcome and refreshments will be available on the balcony from 5.30pm.

Registration is essential by emailing hmarks@itba.ie or call 045-877 543.

Restricted Trainers Association AGM

THE Restricted Trainers Association will stage its annual general meeting on Tuesday, February 13th, at 7.30pm in the Horse and Jockey Hotel near Thurles. Those who are unable to attend but would like to raise a subject are welcome to email john@littleorchardracing.com or call John Fitzgerald on 087 2254734.

IHRB Referrals and Appeals results

JOCKEYS Hugh Horgan and Ricky Doyle have lost their appeals against recent suspensions. Horgan was banned for 16 days for excessive use of the ship at Dundalk on January 16th. Horgan claimed he had used his whip for corrective and safety purposes. The Appeals Body described the appeal as frivolous and held that the jockey had given misleading evidence. He was fined €2,000.

Doyle lost an appeal against a 10-day ‘non-trier’ ban he received at Naas on January 12th for his ride on the Gavin Cromwell-trained Tell Us This.

The Referrals Committee disqualified Asian Master from first place in a Bellharbour point-to-point due to a prohibited substance positive test. The horse, who has since joined Willie Mullins and won two hurdle races this season, tested positive for dexamethasone following his points win exactly a year ago for owner-handler Tony Costello.

After hearing IHRB senior veterinary officer Dr Lynn Hillyer say she gave the Costello yard a “five-star” rating following an inspection, and describing the handler’s evidence as “compelling”, the Committee found that “it was more probable than not that the respondent [Costello] had administered the wrong medication to Asian Master unknowingly”, and waived the mandatory €1,000 fine.