SEVEN ‘barrier trials’ were staged at Naas racecourse on Wednesday.

Organised by Irish Thoroughbred Marketing the trials switched venue from Dundalk this year on to a turf surface. All participating horses were unraced two-year-olds and three-year-olds, and the ‘races’ were run from stalls over five, six and seven furlongs on the inside of the main track.

The total number of horses taking part was 42, suggesting strong approval from Irish racing professionals. A wide variety of trainers were represented, including Michael Halford, Jessica Harrington and Ger Lyons. Jockeys riding included Chris Hayes, Colin Keane and Declan McDonogh. Viewing from the Goffs-sponsored owners and trainers facilities were a diverse group of owners, agents, breeders and other interested parties.

The Cormac Farrell-trained Kingslayer recorded a good time in the second trial and Jessica Harrington’s Windracer, a €240,000 Goffs Orby purchase in 2018, won the fourth trial stylishly for owners Stonestreet Farm.

The principal aim of the trials is to better meet overseas demand for quality unraced horses. Full results and videos of all the trials can be found on the ITM website as well as via the ITM YouTube and Twitter accounts.

Further trials are likely to be staged in August and September.

Farrell, who trains in Wexford, said: “The barrier trials are fantastic, from a number of angles. We sold one from last year’s trials to Hong Kong. There is a market there for unraced horses, as well as those who achieve a rating of 90-plus. Kingslayer will go to the Goffs London Sale now and there has already been plenty of interest in him.

“The trials are also great for educating horses. We have four youngsters we are aiming at the next set of trials.”

Charles O’Neill, CEO of Irish Thoroughbred Marketing, commented: “We are delighted with how the trials have gone. Naas has been very helpful throughout the entire process and provided an excellent surface. The running of the day was very smooth, with seven trials taking place in less than two hours. We would like to thank all participating trainers and jockeys, as well as Goffs for providing refreshments in the owners and trainers facilities. ITM Barrier Trials provide a new platform for the sale of thoroughbreds out of Ireland. It has already been demonstrated that there is a market out there and we hope to build on this in future.”