IN a week when as many as nine claims were lodged for the winner of a claiming race at Gowran Park, the newly-formed Irish Racehorse Claiming Association [IRCA] staged a second public meeting in Kildare.

The IRCA aims to see the number of claiming races run in Ireland increased and to see the claiming races currently programmed restructured in a manner which would maximize field sizes. The association also wishes to see improved promotion of claiming races to existing and new owners.

At this week’s meeting Paddy Waldron was elected chairman, while Richard McCormick, Peter Doyle, James Mescall and Brendan Duke were elected to the committee.

Among the points raised at this week’s meeting was the need to allow prospective owners claim a horse using their credit card.

Those interested in learning more about the IRCA are invited to email claimingraces@gmail.com or text 087 4033098. Trainer Michael O’Callaghan is a big fan of claiming races. After he saddled the filly Bainne to win the claimer at Gowran Park on Wednesday, he said: “I think there should be a claiming race once a week.” A winner of six races, Bainne had a claiming price of €10,000 and nine individual claims were lodged. The successful claim, chosen at random, was from German-based Rory Browne.