NH Fillies Bonus Scheme re-opens

THE 2018 Weatherbys ITBA National Hunt Fillies Bonus Scheme is open for entries. For a €150 fee, the scheme allows owners and breeders to make their unraced sales fillies eligible to win an additional €15,000 in bonuses on the racecourse. Non-sales fillies can be added to the scheme for €200.

There were 13 €5,000 bonus winners in July and August for 12 different owners.

Regina Byrne of the ITBA said: “This initiative was originally set up to enhance the sale of fillies and to encourage people to buy and race fillies. We are delighted to report that the scheme has worked on all counts.

“There has been a marked increase in the number of fillies in training. The plus side from a breeding perspective is that there is a higher quality broodmare heading to the covering shed which can only be beneficial to the herd.”

“Last year Weatherbys Ireland came on board as our lead sponsor and we are so grateful for their assistance this year. We would also like to acknowledge the financial contribution from Horse Racing Ireland who keep this scheme on the road, year after year.”

The entry form can be found on page A27 or it can be downloaded from the itba.ie website. The closing date is September 30th.

Coneygree on track for Kerry National

CONEYGREE remains on course for the Kerry National at Listowel in 11 days’ time. Winner of the 2015 Cheltenham Gold Cup, the Mark Bradstock-trained gelding has been lightly raced since then and finished a fine third behind Sizing John and Djakadam in the Punchestown Gold Cup last spring.

Bradstock reported this week: “The horse is in fabulous form and looks great. He wouldn’t want quick ground at Listowel, and nor would he want it heavy. He’ll obviously have top weight but that is not an issue for him. He can go a good lick and he gets away from his fences very fast.”

The trainer said that the Listowel race will be an ideal prep race for the Ladbrokes Gold Cup (formerly the Hennessy) at Newbury in November.

“We can let him down after that and bring him back for either the Cotswold Chase at Cheltenham in January or the Denman Chase at Newbury in February before the Gold Cup again.”

Profits up at Ladbrokes-Coral

THE Irish division of Ladbrokes-Coral grew net revenue by 4% to €21.5 million in the first half of this year. The group operates 141 shops in Ireland and said its Ladbrokes Ireland business – which went through the examinership process two years ago – reduced operating costs by 9% in the six months to the end of June, resulting in operating profit rising by 14%.