THE Association of Irish Racehorse Owners (AIRO) in conjunction with HRI Ownership are conducting a series of four Owners’ Information evenings, one in each province to run between now and the end of the year.

The first of the series will be held in Down Royal on Friday, July 22nd. The main objective of these meetings is to remind owners of their racehorse ownership responsibilities and to educate them on the various after-care and post-racing opportunities available for their horses.

A pamphlet entitled ‘Simple guide to Responsible Racehorse Ownership’ will be distributed to all attendees and is available to download from the AIRO website (see address below).

The Irish Field editor Leo Powell will chair a Q&A session scheduled to take place before racing at 4.30pm, with input from the Down Royal Corporation of Horse Breeders, June Burgess of Horses for People, Treo Eile’s Anne O’Connor and Suzy Barkley from the British and Irish Thoroughbred Agency.

Each guest will discuss the facilities they have and the options available to owners. Each contributor will have a stand in the owners’ marquee for the day to answer any owners’ questions.

If sufficient stabling facilities are available, Suzy Barkley will parade a number of ex-racehorses who have successfully transitioned to their new discipline.

Racing at Down Royal next Friday is part of the AIR ‘free entry for owners’ initiative and refreshments will be available for all attendees.

All owners are welcome to attend. Should you wish to bring guests, please register with Regina Byrne before 5pm on Wednesday (see email below).

Regina Byrne, general manager of AIRO, said: “We are delighted to be able to arrange these information evenings for owners. It is so important that owners are aware of their post-racing responsibilities to their horses and be aware of the post-racing career options/facilities that are out there.

“I’d like to thank HRI Ownership, Leo Powell, our contributors and Down Royal Racecourse for the opportunity to make these evenings happen and we look forward to meeting and chatting to all the owners during the series.”

Web: irishracehorseowners.com

Email: info@irishracehorseowners.com