Q: Why and when was this scheme introduced?

The ITBA NH Fillies Bonus Scheme is a self-help scheme established in 2013 with the main objective of supporting the sale of fillies at store sales and encouraging owners and breeders to put their fillies in training. There were too many untried mares going to the covering shed, thus diluting the quality of the NH broodmare herd.

Q: How is it funded and who organises it?

Vendors of all catalogued lots at qualifying store sales (Land Rover, Derby and August Sales) contribute €50 to the scheme. Purchaser of fillies at the sales must pay an additional €150 to the sales company or the ITBA not later than September 30th in the scheme year. Fillies not entered in a sale can still be included in the scheme if the owner submits a completed application form complete with €200 to the ITBA by September 30th in the scheme year to secure eligibility. The ITBA organise and administer the scheme and we would like to acknowledge the contribution from Horse Racing Ireland who are financially supporting its continuation.

The scheme rewards the winning owner with €5,000 if their filly wins her maiden bumper, maiden hurdle or beginners chase. In theory a mare could win three bonuses and an extra €15,000.

Q: What horses are eligible?

To be eligible a filly must be unraced under the rules of racing on September 30th of her three-year-old year. Fillies who have raced in point-to-points can be added to the scheme.

Q: Has it been well supported?

To date 1,684 fillies have been nominated to the scheme. In 2014 the scheme had 24 winners (15 bumpers and nine hurdles). In 2015 there were 45 winners (21 bumpers, 20 hurdles and four chases). So far this year there have been 22 winners (10 bumpers, 10 hurdles, two chases).

There has been one treble bonus winner, 12 winners of a double bonus, to date, and 91 individual bonus winners.

Q: Who has benefitted from the scheme?

  • It has paid out €455,000 in bonuses to 91 individual owners in two years.
  • Since the introduction of the scheme the number of fillies catalogued in the two major store sales has increased.
  • The number of horses running under National Hunt rules has decreased by approximately 10% but the number of mares racing has remained constant. It is important this figure does not slip.
  • The number of mares’ only races has increased from 75 in 2013 to 94 in 2015 with the same number of races provisionally programmed for 2016.
  • There has been a marked improvement in the quality of mare’s races over the last number of years.

    • Q: Why should owners/breeders support it?

    The ITBA NH Fillies Bonus scheme gives owners the opportunity to win an additional €15,000 in bonuses on top of the prize money won. Should they win on the racecourse, their market value in the covering shed is enhanced. A winning mare is a better sales commodity if an owner wishes to sell his filly after her racing career. The quality of our National Hunt broodmare herd depends on owners and breeders supporting and racing their filly.

    Q: What deadlines do people need to be aware of?

    The closing date for nomination to the ITBA NH Fillies Bonus Scheme is September 30th, 2016.

    CONTACT DETAILS

    Tel: 045 877543

    Web: itba.ie