INTERNATIONAL racehorse owner and breeder Craig Bernick will join Ballyhane Stud’s Joe Foley and UK Tote Group boss Alex Frost in an online discussion with MC Rishi Persad about horseracing on Friday evening, September 18th.

The webinar is being organised by Horse Racing Ireland as part of the Race Behind The Scenes week, which starts on Monday week, September 14th.

Bernick’s family is stepped in American racing and he owns the Jessica Harrington-trained One Voice, who has been placed in Group 1 company this season.

Organised by HRI’s ownership department, Race Behind The Scenes aims to give racing fans exclusive behind the scenes access to the sport, mainly through 10 webinars with owners, trainers and others from the world of racing.

Covering a broad range of topics, the webinars will explore all areas of horse racing. Olympian, bestselling author and racehorse owner, Derval O’Rourke will join trainer Joseph O’Brien for a one-off discussion that compares the training routines of athletes to equines.

RTE broadcaster Hugh Cahill will introduce Ireland’s leading trainers, finding out what it is really like to train a champion racehorse and other well-known horse racing personalities and owners will discuss their passion for the sport.

Members of the public can now register online to attend the webinars and also watch exclusive videos from key players in the industry. For the first time virtually, fans can gain access to a racehorse trainer’s yard at any time from the comfort of their own home.

Over 25 of Ireland’s training yards will be available to tour on the website and, as people enjoy a virtual experience of the yard’s facilities, they will learn more information about the yards directly from the skilled team who look after the horses.

The event website includes an Owners section which will feature information on the thrill of racehorse ownership from the owners themselves and a World of Racing section, which features a wide range of content, such as information on what it takes be a race commentator, how to break a horse, learning what a farrier does and everything in between.

Racing fans are encouraged to keep an eye on @HRIOwners on social media, where more updates on the website will be shared.

Top trainer Noel Meade said: “These past few months, the horse racing event calendar has been quieter than usual. Access to training yards has been limited but thanks to this initiative people will have unlimited virtual access to many training yards across the country while staying safe at home.

Amber Byrne, owner development manager with HRI, commented: “While Covid-19 restrictions might prevent many of us from coming together to enjoy and learn more about horse racing right now, we have launched a week dedicated to educating horse racing fans about the industry virtually. A microsite and week-long webinar series will give people the opportunity to learn more about racehorse training and ownership from the world’s best.

“Those visiting the microsite will have the chance to experience something unique and tour a trainer’s yard from their own home, while hearing first-hand from owners about the thrill of ownership. Several racehorse owners and trainers will also speak at various webinars scheduled across the week.”

Race Behind The ScenesWebinars

Monday 14th September

6.00pm: Meet the next generation

Host Sally Ann Grassick chats with Jack Davison, Patrick Harty, Marshall Watson and Maxine O’Sullivan.

7.30pm: Racing to the top

Hugh Cahill with owners David Sharpe, Chris Jones & Limerick hurler Shane Dowling

Tuesday 15th September

Meet the trainer

1.00pm: Dave Keena shoots the breeze with trainers Ross O’Sullivan, Andy Oliver and Richard O’Brien.

Meet the trainer

6.00pm: Meet trainers Paddy Twomey, Tracey Collins and Terence O’Brien as they chat with Dave Kenna

The real story

7.30pm: Hugh Cahill with Michael Halford, Andrew McNamara and Noel Meade

Wednesday 16th September

Curragh virtual tour

6.00pm: Fran Berry, Michael Kinane and Barry Geraghty.

Getting the edge

7.30pm Hugh Cahill with Derval O’Rourke & Joseph O’Brien

Thursday 17th September

I want to be a jockey (time to be confirmed)

Leo Powell chats with Rachael Blackmore and others.

Sharing the love

7.30pm: Sally Ann Grassick, Jack Cantillon and Tamso Doyle

Friday 18th September

Racing to the top

7.30pm: Rishi Persad with owners Craig Bernick, CEO, Glen Hill Farm, Alex Frost of UK Tote Group and Joe Foley, Ballyhane Stud and racing manager for Clipper Logistics

Web: racehorseownership.ie/rbs

All webinars are free but you must register in advance.