Sir, - It is disappointing to read quite a bit of negative commentary about the commendable new three-year-old academy hurdle race initiative from Horse Racing Ireland (HRI).

This initiative was kickstarted in January by the Irish Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association (ITBA) and its National Hunt Committee when over 250 people attended our seminar on the challenges facing National Hunt breeding.

Its verdict, from a distinguished panel and knowledgeable audience, was to get our NH stock on the racecourse earlier in a similar fashion to the tried and trusted and successful French model.

HRI picked up the ball from there and ran with it, but the ITBA remained very much involved as our NH Committee, under chairman William Flood, had a number of meetings on this initiative over the past few months.

There was much discussion and debate on the subject, and feedback given to HRI by our Committee on what we felt might work best vis a vis these three-year-old academy hurdle races.

At our final meeting on October 3rd, after further clarity from HRI, our 15-member committee unanimously agreed to their proposed series of three-year-old academy hurdle races based on agreed and suitable criteria being in place for the series.

We look forward to the initiative next autumn and are optimistic that this series will be a positive catalyst for NH breeders and NH racing in Ireland - Yours etc.,

Peter O’Reilly,

CEO Irish Thoroughbred Breeders’

Association,

Greenhills,

Kill,

Co Kildare

Sir, - I would like to respond to Noel Meade’s letter in The Irish Field on December 14th (“Race conditions are like something out of Father Ted”).

Firstly, I was delighted to read that Noel had no problem with the concept of three-year-old hurdles for horses who had never run before. That said, I was disappointed to read of his absolute opposition to the conditions.

I will admit that I was very sceptical when I first heard of the ‘preservation of maiden status’ for winners of these academy hurdles. However, when the reasons and benefits of the same were explained to me, I understood.

I believe that the vast majority of stakeholders realise that something needs to change if we are to restore the balance in favour of the Irish-bred National Hunt horse, and I think most see this series as one step in the right direction.

If this series works, the benefits will be wide and varied to breeders, pinhookers, owners, trainers, sales companies and many more. If this series is to thrive and prosper, as many people as possible need to be encouraged to take part. Preserving a winner’s maiden status will give these horses the same status, value and, more importantly, the same opportunities as point-to-point winners. This, I believe, will encourage the widest possible participation, whether owners and trainers wish to race on or trade on their winners.

As the series becomes established, I believe the conditions can and will be reviewed and revised, if needed. I believe this series is an example of wonderfully innovative thinking, the sort of Irish thinking that is the envy of the world as they look at our economy.

It is far from an Irish joke. Well done to Horse Racing Ireland. Yours etc.,

Peter Molony

Rathmore Stud

Kilmallock

Co. Limerick.

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