THE third and final set of Irish EBF Barrier Trials took place at Leopardstown on Wednesday.

A total of 73 horses, mostly unraced juveniles, took part in nine trials over six and seven furlongs. Some 24 stables were represented.

Jeremy Greene of Irish Thoroughbred Marketing [ITM] said: “There were plenty of nice horses on display. It seems there is a fair bit of interest in different ones so far and hopefully some trade results. All videos are on the ITM channel on YouTube.

“That’s it for them for this year. The first two days at Naas and Dundalk generated decent business with four horses switching to Hong Kong unraced. Others changed hands on top of those. Over 200 horses took part over the three dates staged and we are grateful to every owner, trainer and jockey for their participation.

“Thanks for Jane Hedley and the staff at Leopardstown for helping make this week’s date run smoothly. Thanks also to the Irish EBF for their continued sponsorship as it really counts, along with the IHRB, IRIS, HRI, the stalls handlers, vets, doctors, farriers, Order of Malta and Blue Cross for their assistance.”

Bloodstock agent Michael Donohoe was present at Leopardstown and commented: “It was myself and Dermot Cantillon who came up with the idea a few years ago - they have barrier trials in Australia and Hong Kong and we thought it would work here. Racing in Singapore was going well at the time and I had clients there who said they would prefer to see unraced horses gallop before they purchased.

“We took the proposal to ITM and, in fairness to them, they took it on board. Jeremy Greene, in particular, has put in a lot of work to make them happen.”

Donohoe believes the barrier trials have been a success and that there is a market for many of the horses taking part.

He explained: “For example, I had one horse there this week for a Saudi client. It was a breeze-up horse we had with Michael Halford. The horse would stay in Europe if he was stakes class, but even though he is nice the barrier trial told us, he would be better off going to Saudi. The owner was impressed with being able to watch the barrier trial online and he could see it was very professional.

“There were local owners at Leopardstown too, including Joe O’Flaherty who was watching his Galiway filly race. It’s a nice setting and we are spoiled to have a Grade 1 track like Leopardstown for it.

“Then you have the trade aspect. I’m looking at one horse in particular from this week’s trials with the USA in mind, and I know there is some action for others going to Hong Kong.

“I think the barrier trials have been a huge success and there probably should be more of them, especially on grass. I’d encourage smaller trainers to consider supporting them next year - there is an opportunity there.”