ITBA membership subscription is now due for renewal. This is an election year for the ITBA and members are reminded that they will have to be active members to vote.

The membership fees for 2016 are:

€100 for the first member of a household or single membership (aged 12-75 years)

€50 for any additional family members with the same address (includes full member benefits).

€50 stud staff associate membership

€75 over-75 senior membership

At the request of members and stud farm owners, a new €50 category was launched last year to cover farm staff. This is a non-voting associate category and provides substantial accidental death and accidental personal injuries cover, as well as providing free admission to seminars and training.

For example, Joe Bloggs runs a stud farm with his wife Josephine and their two children Mary (12) and Joe Jr (19). They have one full time person employed.

How much would their ITBA membership cost?

Joe Bloggs €100

Josephine Bloggs (Spouse/Partner) €50

Mary Bloggs (Add Family Member) €50

Joe Jr Bloggs (Add Family Member) €50

Stud Staff Member No. 1 €50

Total cost €300

What are the benefits of being a member of the ITBA?

  • Free ITBA Breeders’ Handbook & Diary
  • Free racecourse admission x 2 (when a horse you bred runs in Ireland)
  • Free automatic death & personal accident insurance
  • Free Irish Racing Yearbook, Stallion Guide and all industry publications
  • Fres EBN and TDN
  • Free seminars and educational days

    • And many, many more super benefits.

    Subscriptions can be paid by the following methods:

  • Cheque: made payable to Irish Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association at Greenhills, Kill, Co Kildare
  • Credit card: call Regina on 045 877543
  • Direct debit: ITBA hase reintroduced this option for members
  • Online: www.itba.ie

    • The Irish Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association is YOUR representative body – your voice at national and international level and is here to assist you. Regina is available on 045 877543 or rbyrne@itba.ie if you need assistance or if you have any suggestions to improve the service we provide.

    The ITBA in association with Tattersalls Ireland has put together a very impressive panel for its National Hunt seminar taking place in Tattersalls Ireland on Monday week, February 8th.

    This must-attend event for National Hunt breeders will concentrate on the issues facing the National Hunt industry and what direction as breeders we should take.

    In the first session (starts at 2pm) the panel, under the chairmanship of Leo Powell, will provide an in-depth analysis of the marketplace discussing the highs and lows of both the November breeding stock sales and the summer store horse sales.

    The second session (5.15pm), under the chairmanship of Robert Hall, will concentrate on race planning. Comparisons will be made between Ireland, the UK and France. Breeders’ incentives in these countries will be analysed.

    The 12 panellists taking part on the day are Jim Balfry (Supreme Racing Club), veterinary surgeons Des Barnwell and Walter Connors (also a NH trader), journalist Richard Forristal, trainer Jessica Harrington, Michael Hickey of Sunnyhill Stud, bloodstock agent Tom Malone, Michael Moore (Ballincurrig House Stud), Jason Morris of Horse Racing Ireland, Richard Pugh (Tattersalls and p2p.ie), Ruth Quinn (British Horseracing Authority) and trainer Willie Mullins.

    The ITBA looks forward to seeing you there. To register please contact Regina on rbyrne@itba.ie or call (045) 877543.

    Mark O’Hanlon Memorial Racing & Breeding Quiz

    The Mark O’Hanlon Memorial Racing & Breeding Quiz will take place in the Lord Bagenal on Tuesday, February 16th with all proceeds going to the David Naughton Trust Fund.

    The quiz will be sponsored by the Racing Post and quizmaster for the evening will be Jonathan Mullin. The Mark O’Hanlon Perpetual Cup will be presented to the winners. This promises to be a great night with many industry personalities already booked in for the event.

    Tables of four cost €60 and can be registered with Regina Byrne on (045) 877543 or Sarah Gavin on (045) 443060 or at either the ITBA and ITM desks at the upcoming sales in Tattersalls Ireland and Goffs.

    The night will also feature a massive auction with full details to be announced soon.

    HRI boost for NH Fillies’ Scheme

    Horse Racing Ireland will provide €100,000 to support the ITBA National Hunt Fillies Bonus Scheme, which has the objective of encouraging the sales of NH fillies and also their being put into training in Ireland. It provides payments to the winning owner of qualified fillies/mares of €5,000 if winning a mares-only maiden bumper, maiden hurdle or beginners chase, giving each owner the potential to win €15,000.

    The scheme has been running for over two years. By nominating a filly to the scheme the owner becomes eligible for a €5,000 bonus - which is paid directly into their HRI account - if the filly wins a selected maiden bumper, maiden hurdle, or beginners steeplechase.