JANUARY2019

THE NEWSLETTER FOR MEMBERS OF THE IRISH RACEHORSE TRAINERS ASSOCIATION

The Irish TrainerJade the apple of Gordon’s eyeHatton’s Grace hat-trick for Apple’s Jade and Gordon Elliott

Saturday 6 April 2019

The Randox Health Grand National 2019

Total prize fund £1,000,000ENTRY DEADLINE: 12 pm, Tuesday, 29 January 2019

For all race conditions head to:www.cheltenham.thejockeyclub.co.uk/more-information/owners-trainers

If you have any questions about the race programme, please contact Simon Claisse on 07785 293966 or via e-mail Simon.Claisse@thejockeyclub.co.uk

T H E F E S T I VA L 2019NAME OF RACE DATE OF

RACE 2019CLOSING

DATE 2019SCRATCH DATE 2019

The Bulmers Cheltenham Gold Cup 15th Mar 8th Jan 12th Feb

The Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase 13th Mar 8th Jan 12th Feb

The Ryanair Steeple Chase 14th Mar 8th Jan 12th Feb

The Unibet Champion Hurdle 12th Mar 15th Jan 12th Feb

The Sun Racing Stayers Hurdle 14th Mar 15th Jan 12th Feb

The OLBG Mares Hurdle 12th Mar 15th Jan 12th Feb

The Racing Post Arkle Challenge Trophy 12th Mar 22nd Jan 19th Feb

The RSA Steeple Chase 13th Mar 22nd Jan 19th Feb

The National Hunt Steeple Chase Challenge Cup (Amateur Riders) 12th Mar 22nd Jan 19th Feb

The JLT Novices’ Chase 14th Mar 22nd Jan 19th Feb

The Sky Bet Supreme Novices’ Hurdle 12th Mar 30th Jan 19th Feb

The Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle 13th Mar 30th Jan 19th Feb

The JCB Triumph Hurdle 15th Mar 30th Jan 19th Feb

The Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle Race 15th Mar 30th Jan 19th Feb

The Ultima Handicap Steeple Chase 12th Mar 19th Feb

The Boodles Juvenile Novices’ Handicap Hurdle (registered as The Fred Winter) 13th Mar 19th Feb

The Coral Cup Handicap Hurdle 13th Mar 19th Feb

The Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup 14th Mar 19th Feb

The Close Brothers Novices’ Handicap Steeple Chase 12th Mar 19th Feb

The Brown Advisory & Merriebelle Stable Plate(A Handicap Steeple Chase) 14th Mar 19th Feb

The Pertemps Final Network Final Handicap Hurdle 14th Mar 19th Feb

The Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle Race 15th Mar 19th Feb

The Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Steeple Chase 15th Mar 19th Feb

The Randox Health County Handicap Hurdle 15th Mar 19th Feb

The Glenfarclas Cross Country Handicap Steeple Chase 13th Mar 26th Feb

The Weatherbys Champion Bumper (NH Flat Race) 13th Mar 26th Feb

The Dawn Run Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle 14th Mar 26th Feb

The St. James’s Place Foxhunter Steeple Chase Challenge Cup 15th Mar 26th Feb

E A R LY C L O S I N G D AT E S

28633 Cheltenham Festival 2019 Closing Dates for Irish Trainers A5 Advert v2.indd 1 10/12/2018 11:05

03

For all race conditions head to:www.cheltenham.thejockeyclub.co.uk/more-information/owners-trainers

If you have any questions about the race programme, please contact Simon Claisse on 07785 293966 or via e-mail Simon.Claisse@thejockeyclub.co.uk

T H E F E S T I VA L 2019NAME OF RACE DATE OF

RACE 2019CLOSING

DATE 2019SCRATCH DATE 2019

The Bulmers Cheltenham Gold Cup 15th Mar 8th Jan 12th Feb

The Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase 13th Mar 8th Jan 12th Feb

The Ryanair Steeple Chase 14th Mar 8th Jan 12th Feb

The Unibet Champion Hurdle 12th Mar 15th Jan 12th Feb

The Sun Racing Stayers Hurdle 14th Mar 15th Jan 12th Feb

The OLBG Mares Hurdle 12th Mar 15th Jan 12th Feb

The Racing Post Arkle Challenge Trophy 12th Mar 22nd Jan 19th Feb

The RSA Steeple Chase 13th Mar 22nd Jan 19th Feb

The National Hunt Steeple Chase Challenge Cup (Amateur Riders) 12th Mar 22nd Jan 19th Feb

The JLT Novices’ Chase 14th Mar 22nd Jan 19th Feb

The Sky Bet Supreme Novices’ Hurdle 12th Mar 30th Jan 19th Feb

The Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle 13th Mar 30th Jan 19th Feb

The JCB Triumph Hurdle 15th Mar 30th Jan 19th Feb

The Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle Race 15th Mar 30th Jan 19th Feb

The Ultima Handicap Steeple Chase 12th Mar 19th Feb

The Boodles Juvenile Novices’ Handicap Hurdle (registered as The Fred Winter) 13th Mar 19th Feb

The Coral Cup Handicap Hurdle 13th Mar 19th Feb

The Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup 14th Mar 19th Feb

The Close Brothers Novices’ Handicap Steeple Chase 12th Mar 19th Feb

The Brown Advisory & Merriebelle Stable Plate(A Handicap Steeple Chase) 14th Mar 19th Feb

The Pertemps Final Network Final Handicap Hurdle 14th Mar 19th Feb

The Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle Race 15th Mar 19th Feb

The Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Steeple Chase 15th Mar 19th Feb

The Randox Health County Handicap Hurdle 15th Mar 19th Feb

The Glenfarclas Cross Country Handicap Steeple Chase 13th Mar 26th Feb

The Weatherbys Champion Bumper (NH Flat Race) 13th Mar 26th Feb

The Dawn Run Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle 14th Mar 26th Feb

The St. James’s Place Foxhunter Steeple Chase Challenge Cup 15th Mar 26th Feb

E A R LY C L O S I N G D AT E S

28633 Cheltenham Festival 2019 Closing Dates for Irish Trainers A5 Advert v2.indd 1 10/12/2018 11:05

VISIT WWW.IRTA.IE FOR THE LATEST NEWS AND UPDATES

Irish Racehorse Trainers Association – Curragh House, Dublin Road, Kildare

Chief Executive: Michael GrassickChairman: Noel Meade Vice Chairman: Michael Halford Tel: 045 522 981 Mob: 087 258 8770email: office@irta.ie

Council Members: Jim Gorman Tom Hogan Andrew McNamara Eric McNamara Aidan O’ Brien Andy Oliver Patrick Prendergast Jnr. Tracey Collins Gordon Elliott Eugene O’Sullivan

Published monthly by Anderson & Co Publishing Ltd. For all advertising enquiries please call: 041 971 2000 www.anderson-co.com

ForewordT H E I R I S H T R A I N E R / J A N U A R Y 2 0 1 9

Firstly, I would like to thank everyone who attended the AGM on Tuesday, 11 December. We had a good turnout, where a lot of issues were discussed. I can assure the members the Committee will be working hard on your behalf during the year. It is not

always possible to have all the trainers’ wishes granted, but we do our best to put the trainers’ viewpoints to the relevant bodies, the I.H.R.B. and H.R.I. Again, I must stress to members to tell us their concerns so that we can help.

On behalf of the Chairman and the Committee I would like to welcome our three new Committee Members, Tracey Collins, Gordon Elliott and Eugene O’ Sullivan. Thank you also to the three outgoing members - Jessica Harrington, Eoin Griffin and Dermot Weld - for their outstanding work while they were in tenure.

Those who were unable to attend on the day and would like a copy of the minutes, please contact the office on 045-522981 or email office@irta.ie

Kind regards,

Michael Grassick / Irish Racehorse Trainers Association

CONTENTS

Winners Abroad and upcoming sales dates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4

AGM 2018 report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6

IHRB notice - lodging of passports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Products of the month . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

Non-runner telephone line and winter safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

COVER PHOTO: Trainer: Gordon ElliottJockey: J W Kennedy

Owner: Gigginstown House Stud Breeder: M Ronny CoveliersPhoto: Caroline Norris

Winners abroadThe National Hunt was led by Josie’s Orders in the Glenfarclas Chase at Cheltenham for Enda Bolger, followed by Cold Shoulder and Bobby The Dazzler going in at Ayr for Gordon Elliott and Liam Lennon respectively.

Then we had Hidden Dilemma twice at Carlisle for Stuart Crawford and Yeats Baby at Fakenham for Emmet Mullins. These were followed by a Leicester double - Camile for

Joseph O’Brien and Rightdownthemiddle for

Gordon Elliott.

On the Flat, it fell to Gavin Cromwell to have a

treble with Sbraase and Earl Of Bunnacurry

at Wolverhampton and the latter again at

Southwell. Captain Dan then kicked in at

Wolverhampton for John Feane.

Well Done and Congrats.

04

T H E I R I S H T R A I N E R / J A N U A R Y 2 0 1 9

22-23JAN

GOFFS UK January Sale 2019

29-30JAN

TATTERSALLS IRELAND February NH Sale

31 JAN - 1 FEB

TATTERSALLSFebruary Sale

5-7 FEB

GOFFS February Sale 2019

12-13 FEB

ARQANAMixed February Sale

21FEB

TATTERSALLS (IRE) CHELTENHAMCheltenham February Sale

14MAR

TATTERSALLS (IRE) CHELTENHAMCheltenham Festival Sale

21MAR

TATTERSALLS (IRE) ASCOTAscot March Sale

3APR

TATTERSALLS (IRE) ASCOTAscot Two-Year-Old Breeze-Up Sale

4APR

GOFFS UK The Aintree Sale 2019 - after racing

15-17APR

TATTERSALLSCraven Breeze Up Sale

24-25APR

GOFFS UK Breeze Up Sale 2019

26APR

TATTERSALLS (IRE) CHELTENHAMCheltenham April Sale

2MAY

GOFFS Punchestown Sale 2019

2-3MAY

TATTERSALLSGuineas Breeze Up & HIT Sale

10-11MAY

ARQANABreeze Up

14MAY

TATTERSALLS IRELAND May Store Sale

18MAY

ARQANAThe Auteuil Sale

20-24MAY

GOFFS UK Spring Sale 2019

24MAY

TATTERSALLS IRELAND Goresbridge Breeze-Up

30MAY

TATTERSALLS (IRE) CHELTENHAMCheltenham May Sale

4JUN

TATTERSALLS (IRE) ASCOTAscot June Sale

11-12JUN

GOFFS Land Rover Sale 2019

26-27 JUN

TATTERSALLS IRELAND Derby Sale

UPCOMING SALES DATES

T H E I R I S H T R A I N E R / J A N U A R Y 2 0 1 9

Nearly 60 trainers attended the 2018 AGM and Noel Meade asked for a moment’s silence for those we have lost, before thanking the committee for all their work during the year.

Eugene O’Sullivan, Tracey Collins and Gordon Elliott were the only nominations for the three available committee places, therefore no election was required.

Eddie Harty reported on the benevolent fund, which is draining and should only be called upon for legitimate cases. There had been eight deaths this year and as membership increases it will dwindle, so this should be looked at.

FreeservicesMichael Grassick encouraged members to use the service provided by IRTA and introduced the Association’s new full-time secretary, Ger Brett. IRTA can only respond to requests from members and there are some who never get in contact. Grassick expressed concern they are the people who feel the IRTA does very little on their behalf. He reminded members of the free services provided by PA Solutions.

BusinessissuesRegarding the WRC, it is expected within a matter of days to see racehorse trainers revert back to the Dept. of Agriculture, allowing more flexibility in the arrangement of working hours.

Many members used Eamonn Halpin’s rates

service and are happy with the results. Members were reminded to go through the IRTA office for this service in order to avail of the discount.

Successful progress was made in relation to work permits, and it is hoped in the New Year positions may be filled by applicants from Pakistan, India, Malaysia and Brazil.

Direct payment of training fees does have support from HRI, but received a negative response from AIRO, although it is hoped a positive outcome can be reached.

IRTA expects a positive response from HRI in its request that place prize money be paid immediately, rather than the 18-day wait for clearance as with winning prize money.

Members are reminded to ensure all staff have applied for the stable staff pension scheme. It can be worth up to €1,800 a year to each employee. They can sign up now and it will be backdated.

IRTA AGM - 11 December 2018, Keadeen Hotel, Newbridge

Eamonn Halpin

06

The decline in the number of trainers down to 353 is a major concern and IRTA intends to enter into discussions to address this.

RacedayissuesIRTA secured two extra meetings on the Flat, and thanked HRI and AIR, as well as Shane Doyle at HRI for the introduction of an auction hurdle series.

All Flat horses imported from outside Ireland rated 60 or less can now run in Irish handicaps, but off a mark of 60 on their first run, after which they will be reassessed according to their performance.

Fines will no longer be imposed when trainers change the head gear after declaration time, up to 12pm.

It is imperative for members to get in touch with the IRTA office with any issues regarding appeals and referrals, as fines have been avoided with the help of IRTA.

Rule 90 has been modified and passports to be lodged one hour before the race time have been granted an additional ten minutes in exceptional circumstances if the trainer rings ahead and gives notice of the delay.

IRTA continues to press for the improvement of the track at Dundalk. It no longer satisfies the needs of trainers, following a number of reports of horses being sore and jarred after racing.

Racecourse stables are continuing to improve and those tracks who have carried out work were thanked.

PositivetestsIRTA needs to deal with the rise in positive tests for cobalt and arsenic. The BHA uses the same laboratory and has not experienced any similar spike in the UK, so an explanation is being sought.

A query from the floor asked if it were true that the BHA only began testing for cobalt from 1st December. IRTA was unaware of this and had been told the BHA does already test for cobalt.

We can now confirm that in accordance with IFHA policy, both IHRB and the BHA introduced cobalt testing in April 2016, with the same threshold of 0.1 micrograms per millilitre in urine and 0.025 micrograms per millilitre in plasma.

StaffrecruitmentAoife Hanratty explained the new IRTA-funded website being created to help trainers recruit temporary staff. It will be ideal for sales and raceday staff and will ensure WRC compliance.

Employers can post on the job board and candidates can upload their CV and references with the dates they are available. The site is free to jobseekers, while employers pay a fee.

The idea arose from trying to send horses to the races but having no available staff, it is similar to the use of temporary staff at the sales, rather like the Farm Relief service. It was pointed out from the floor there is a fee of €48 for a temporary stable pass, but where a groom already has a valid card they may go racing for another trainer.

StafftrainingHRI will be providing up-skilling courses for staff at RACE and these will be free of charge. A course had been provided already this year, where eight people improved their riding skills. A number of Health and Safety courses will be arranged for 2019 for IRTA members and their staff.

The IRTA website is also being maximised and is now more user-friendly, with templates for many useful things.

continued �

07

Aoife Hanratty

08

T H E I R I S H T R A I N E R / J A N U A R Y 2 0 1 9

Grassick concluded that IRTA is concerned by the problems facing modern racing and will be attempting to address issues and discuss solutions in the coming year, by setting up discussions with the association representatives for jockeys, owners, racecourses, staff, breeders and HRI.

OpeningofnurseriesinUKandIrelandtoBritishandIrish-trainedrunnersThe BHA are open to the view that Irish-trained horses may run in British nurseries if HRI reciprocates. HRI asked that this be put to IRTA members, who recognised there would be a flood of British runners, but there will be more opportunities over there for Irish horses than over here for British horses, so AGM attendees voted unanimously in favour of the idea.

EquineMediRecordpresentationPierce Dargan gave a brief overview of the Equine MediRecord system. It can replace the blue medical book, guarantees 100% compliance with inspections, and doesn’t allow incorrect entries. It speeds up the inspection process and

reduces time spent on paperwork by 50%. It provides automatic notification of any vaccinations due and has a section for notes, as with a traditional diary.

It cannot be accessed without permission and a password is required. The standard system is available free of charge to IRTA members with 15 or fewer horses, and costs €1 per horse per month for those with 16 or more horses.

Questionsfromthefloor• Being exonerated from a hearing but still

having to pay 50% of costs? It was noted that a trainer who appeals a case must pay costs whether they win the appeal or not. This seems harsh when they have not brought the case.

• Why are trainers are still being charged a €42 administration fee by HRI for every horse entered in Britain, and if this is not done within two working days of the entry it increases to €70? The BHA prefers entries made via its website, but the owner needs to be registered with Weatherbys UK for access.

• A fee for the return of passports was introduced in recent weeks but is regarded as an owner’s expense that is being levied against trainers.

• IRTA asked that the microchip be included as one of the five points of identification in a passport, which the BHA has accepted but IHRB won’t.

• Being fined for withdrawing a horse on race day, despite having the welfare interests of the horse in mind? If the horse is at the races, there should be no fine, although this could be open to abuse. It was requested that the IRTA take a stronger stand on this issue. The discrepancy of stewards taking a more open mind when

Further up-skilling courses to be provided for staff in 2019

09

several trainers withdraw horses rather than just a single trainer was also raised.

• There should be an IRTA representative at every race meeting to question decisions on behalf of trainers and ensure any ruling is consistent and fair.

• Complaints were aired concerning stable inspections, and freedom of information should make the results of any blood tests taken available. Is it fair to take six bloods from a horse running that evening? Some trainers felt they were being singled out. It was explained there are three different types of inspection, one checking the premises, another for passports and feed, and one taking bloods. There were complaints that the reports were too petty. IRTA offered a copy of the inspection checklist to any member, to enable them to check their level of compliance.

• The ITBA NH Fillies Bonus Scheme lacked clear information concerning the start date of 1st January for eligibility.

• Frustration was expressed that races could not be divided if the required number of runners fell only marginally short. More flexibility was requested.

• Could the fee for a license be reduced for trainers with fewer than a certain number of horses? IRTA pointed out the fees are IHRB’s revenue and they would not consider a reduction.

• There are not enough ground updates or ground details far enough ahead. More frequent and detailed descriptions were requested, at least at time of entry and time of declaration. It was pointed out that stewards

are not aware of its importance to trainers. Clerks of the Course cannot communicate with trainers, but the manager often lacks the knowledge.

• Watering of tracks remains an issue.

• Could racecourses cease putting public calls out to trainers and instead ring the trainer on his or her mobile? The calls are generally trivial, but the public perception is not good.

• A call was made for races for trainers who haven’t won more than ten races. Everyone agreed this was a good idea, with at least one race once a week.

continued �

Provision of information regarding going remains a concern

10

T H E I R I S H T R A I N E R / J A N U A R Y 2 0 1 9

Michael Grassick and Takashi Kodama

IRTA Committee

Jarlath and Seamus FaheyJoseph O’Brien

John Hayden Sarah Lynam

Tom Hogan

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12

T H E I R I S H T R A I N E R / J A N U A R Y 2 0 1 9

The Directors of the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board, using their powers under Rule 22, have modified Rule 90 (i) with immediate effect to read as follows:

The modifications are underlined.

90. (i) Passports must be lodged with an IHRB Security Officer at least one (1) hour prior to the

time fixed for the running of the race in which the horse is declared to run.

In exceptional circumstances the Stewards may allow an additional 10 minutes for the late

lodging of Passports where the Stewards may allow an additional 10 minutes for the late lodging

of Passports where the Stewards have been notified in advance that a Passport may be late.

If the Passport is not lodged in accordance with this Rule the Horse shall be withdrawn by the Stewards.

IHRB NOTICE Lodging of passports - update

13

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14

Health of horse and rider Now we’re at the time of year when the dark mornings

are upon us, it’s important to consider the safety of

horses and riders. Ensure that all riders are wearing

high-visibility jackets, whether on the gallops or on

or near the roadways. BE SAFE AND BE SEEN!

T H E I R I S H T R A I N E R / J A N U A R Y 2 0 1 9

Now we’re at the time of year when

the dark mornings are upon us, it’s

important to consider the safety of

horses and riders.

Ensure that all riders are wearing

high-visibility jackets, whether on the

gallops or on or near the roadways.

Be safe and be seen!

Notification of a non-runner for a race meeting will only be accepted on the dedicated telephone line (045 445645) at the Office of the IHRB with the excuse for non-running.

To validate the information furnished, the caller will be asked to provide the trainer’s Horse Racing Ireland account number and the trainer’s date of birth. All calls are recorded for verification and security purposes. Veterinary certificates, where required, must be sent as usual to the Office of the IHRB within 72 hours. A trainer failing to lodge a certificate within the time period shall be liable to a fine in accordance with Rule 194 (v)(vi). Trainers wishing to declare a reserve, a runner or a non-runner, must do so on the same dedicated telephone line number not less than one and a half hours before the time scheduled for the first race. If a rider has not been nominated for a declared reserve the trainer must do so on the dedicated line not less than one and a half hours before the time scheduled for the first race otherwise the declared reserve will automatically be withdrawn.

Declaration of reserves or of non-runners will no longer be accepted at a race meeting.

The dedicated line number 045 445645 is in operation on a race day until one and a half hours before the time scheduled for the first race.

Opening hours for the non-runner line:

Race meetings run from Monday to Friday - from 9am

Race meetings run on Saturday/Sunday/Bank Holidays – from 9am

Saturday evening meetings – from 12 noon

For the avoidance of doubt, when a trainer wishes to notify a non-runner or a declaration of a reserve, the only acceptable method shall be by telephone on the dedicated number 045 445645

IHRB NOTICE Non-runner telephone line/declaration of reserve telephone line

Now we’re at the time of year when

the dark mornings are upon us, it’s

important to consider the safety of

horses and riders.

Ensure that all riders are wearing

high-visibility jackets, whether on the

gallops or on or near the roadways.

Be safe and be seen!

Johnstown, Naas, Co. Kildare, IrelandTel: 045 866 266 Fax: 045 866 273

Email: iec@irishequinecentre.iewww.irishequinecentre.ie

§ Extensive range of diagnostic tests§ Expert veterinary advice and insight§ Pre-season testing and vaccination advice§ Bespoke equine probiotics for gut health§ Feed, hay and water quality analysis§ Yard visits and biosecurity advice

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