SUPPORTERS of claiming races are invited to attend a public meeting in the Keadeen Hotel, Newbridge, Co Kildare at 2.30pm on Wednesday, June 1st.

The meeting will see the establishment of the Irish Racehorse Claiming Association, a group which will lobby the racing authorities to programme more claiming races.

Currently there are approximately 10 claiming races staged annually in Ireland, all on the flat. These races allow owners to set a claiming price for their runner which determines the weight carried by their horse in the race. Prospective buyers can lodge claims in sealed envelopes at the track within 10 minutes of a claiming race. Racing officials then determine which claims are successful and the horse changes ownership.

There are a significant number of claiming races in the British calendar and they form a major part of the US racing programme.

Richard McCormick, who is organising the meeting on June 1st, said: “Of the 61 racing and breeding professionals I canvassed on this subject at the sales and racecourse 57 were supportive of more claimers. These races can save owners money which is being wasted on going through the handicapping system. There should be at least one claiming race a week in Ireland to test the water.”

McCormick will give a seven-minute presentation at the Keadeen Hotel meeting, which will be chaired by racehorse owner Raymond Keogh. Bloodstock agents Peter and Ross Doyle are sponsoring the meeting.