Two hugely important deadlines are looming on Tuesday, September 30th. It is the deadline for nominating fillies to the next ITBA NH Fillies Scheme and owners/breeders of fillies should contact the Irish Thoroughbred Breeders Association (045-877543 or www.itba.ie) before then. Fillies must be unraced under rules of racing and be three years or older. Bonuses of up to €15,000 can be earned by a filly. The fee for a non-sales filly is €200 and for a sales filly €150, and is a one-off payment.

The first major deadline for the Plus 10 bonus scheme is also on Tuesday. Eligible 2013 and 2014 born foals must be registered by then to remain in the scheme which will see £5.5 million paid out to qualified two and three-year-old horses from 2015. Irish breeder, Ciaran Conroy of Glenvale Stud has registered more than 50 yearlings. “Anything that’s good for prize money, people in our business have to support,” he said.