Academy hurdles are

an absolute joke

Sir, - May I start by saying there is no racing professional in Ireland more proud of what has been achieved by Horse Racing Ireland [HRI] than I am.

Since its foundation, HRI has been to the forefront of guiding Ireland to become one of the leading racing nations in the world. Without doubt, it is the envy of many!

We have the best breeders, owners, trainers, stable staff and we seem to have a conveyor belt churning out top jockeys.

Not for one minute do I want to stop this march forward.

But, no matter what way you dress up the planned academy hurdle series, you are letting a horse win a maiden hurdle and still allowing him to be a maiden over hurdles. It is an absolute joke.

Next October, we are going to have races on the track being run under point-to-point rules or, if you want to put it another way, next October we are going to have three-year-old point-to-points over hurdles on the track.

How is this supposed to be the way forward? - Yours etc.,

Noel Meade

Tu Va Stables,

Castletown KP,

Navan,

Co Meath