THE difficulties facing many commercial thoroughbred breeders have prompted action from both the Irish Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association [ITBA] and the Irish Farmers Association [IFA].

An action plan for breeders seeking a return on their investment will be the focus of an ITBA seminar in Kilkenny on Monday, February 11th. Meanwhile the IFA is calling on Horse Racing Ireland to do more to help farmer-breeders.

The IFA’s deputy president Richard Kennedy raised a number of issues with Horse Racing Ireland boss Brian Kavanagh this week. Kennedy said the past year had been “dismal” for many industry stakeholders, and he highlighted the plight of farmer-breeders with fewer than five broodmares, who he described as “the backbone of the industry”.

He wants HRI to make racehorse ownership more attractive and he called for the introduction of races confined to horses whose trainers have fewer than 35 horses in their care. HRI should invest in upskilling trainers and more resources should be pumped into mares’ races according to Kennedy.

“The IFA recognises the difficulties that farmer-breeders find themselves in and will continue to be proactive in the area, highlighting the issues with a view to improving the viability of thoroughbred breeding on farms.”

Brian Kavanagh described his meeting with the IFA delegation as “positive” and commented: “We agreed to continue the dialogue on a number of issues and I encouraged them to engage also with the ITBA.”

Shane O’Dwyer, CEO of the ITBA, said: “The ITBA is acutely aware of the difficulties breeders are facing and hope to address some of their concerns at our seminar in the Lyrath Hotel [Kilkenny] on February 11th.

“Hopefully we will be in a position to put together some tangible incentives that will help the many breeders who operate with a small number of mares. Richard Kennedy attended our most recent open council meeting and we look forward to working with him.”

LACK OF DEPTH

Issues such as the lack of depth in the bloodstockmarket, a perceived drop in broodmare quality, and a fall-off in the number of racehorse owners will be thrashed out at the ITBA’s National Seminar on the afternoon of Monday, February 11th.

The organisers plan to consider possible incentives to stimulate breeding activity and the market. The ITBA has engaged expert help to put together a package they can bring to Government, designed to help breeders improve both their broodmare bands and their return on investment.

Further alterations to the racing programme will also be discussed in detail at the seminar, with a focus on the popularity of races confined to horses which were sold inexpensively.

The ITBA’s chief executive Shane O’Dwyer said: “Approximately 65% of our foals are exported, with 80% of these going to the UK, a market which there is mutual reliance. The Brexit situation and the ongoing problems with prize money levels in the UK will take centre-stage during the seminar. There is also a call to explore both new and existing markets.”

Tara Stud owner Derek Iceton, a former ITBA chairman, will chair the afternoon session, which will involve a number of short presentations and a panel discussion. “The aim is to come away with an action plan that will assist breeders at all levels of the market,” O’Dwyer added.

O’Dwyer is encouraging all breeders and industry stakeholders to attend. “Any breeders who would like their views presented to the panel can contact me in confidence,” he said.

More details of the panellists and presentations will be published in The Irish Field next week.

The challenges facing the industry are sure to dominate conversations at this evening’s ITBA National Breeding and Racing Awards in Killenard, Co Laois.

The evening will include an address by ITBA chairman Christy Grassick. Charlie Flanagan, a local TD and Minister for Justice and Equality, is due to attend and expected to comment on behalf of the Government.

HRI’s five-year Strategic Plan for the racing and breeding industry is believed to be ready for launch but is awaiting the approval of the Minister for Agriculture, Michael Creed, who is preoccupied currently with Brexit matters.