Race conditions are like something out of Father Ted

Sir, - We have long had to endure being the butt-end of Irish jokes from the rest of the world but this one takes the biscuit. The joke has been concocted by our very own racing authority, Horse Racing Ireland.

They have conceived a race you can win but you don’t really win because you are still a maiden having won it! How could anyone have thought up such a hare-brained scheme?

No other racing jurisdiction will recognise it. Think about it, a maiden hurdle winner in December can run and win another maiden hurdle in January? What about integrity? It’s just been tossed out the window. It is like something out of an episode of Father Ted.

Shame on you, HRI.

Don’t get me wrong, I have no problem with three-year-old hurdles for horses who have never ran, but not with these conditions. - Yours etc.,

Noel Meade,

Tu Va Stables,

Castletown KP,

Navan, Co Meath