ANTHONY Bromley, Walter Connors, Bertrand le Metayer, Peter Molony, Charles O’Neill and Richard Pugh will discuss the challenges facing Irish National Hunt breeding at a free-to-attend seminar in The Lord Bagenal, Leighlinbridge, Co Carlow, on Wednesday, January 17th.

The seminar is being organised by the Irish Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association and will be hosted by trainer-breeder Lorna Fowler of Rahinston Farm & Stud.

Anthony Bromley is co-director of Highflyer Bloodstock and has over 30 years’ experience in the industry. Among the high-profile winners he has sourced are Noble Yeats, Kauto Star, Sprinter Sacre, and Atior.

Walter Connors is a Dungarvan-based veterinary surgeon whose Sluggara Farm has consigned plenty of top class horses, including 2016 Gold Cup winner Don Cossack.

Bertrand le Metayer is a racing advisor and bloodstock agent who was responsible for some of the first French imports to win major races in Britain and Ireland in modern times, such as Klairon Davis and Edredon Bleu.

Rathmore Stud’s Peter Molony has produced top class jumpers Bob’s Worth and Sir Gerhard, while he also bought Honeysuckle after her point-to-point win.

Charles O’Neill is CEO for Irish Thoroughbred Marketing, Horse Racing Ireland’s subsidiary which promotes Ireland as a leading source of thoroughbreds.

Richard Pugh is Director of Horses In Training with Tatersalls Ireland and Director of Irish Point to Point Services (P2P.ie).

The seminar is entitled ‘Jumping into the future - the challenges facing Irish National Hunt breeding’ and it will focus on the issues facing the current National Hunt marketplace. Among the topics which will be covered are quality versus quantity, the influence of French-breds, and meeting marketplace demands.

The evening will also provide breeders and attendees with the opportunity to engage directly with industry stakeholders.

Doors will open at 6pm and the seminar will commence at 6.30pm sharp. Light refreshments will be provided.

ITBA chairman Cathy Grassick said: “I am excited at the prospect of hearing from our expert panel on all issues relevant to our industry. This is a crucial time for the market and an important event for everyone to voice their opinion.”

William Flood, ITBA NH committee chairman, added: “This is a very important time for the industry in light of recent results at the sales. Our National Hunt committee has gathered an expert panel to help talk through these important topics.”

Admission is free but advance registration is essential, either by emailing ddeveney@itba.ie or by calling (045) 877 543. All are welcome.