THE Minister for Agriculture Charlie McConalogue has been told that breeders should get a larger share of the €76.8 million in Government funding earmarked for the racing industry in 2021.

At a meeting of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Agriculture this week, the Minister was seeking approval of his decision to increase the funding for racing by almost €10 million next year. There was widespread support for the funding from all parties represented but a number of TDs and senators expressed concern over how the money was being spent.

Sinn Fein TD Matt Carthy told the Minister: “The biggest complaints I receive [about racing] is from the breeders. They say the money does not come to them.” He asked the Minister to investigate how prize money is distributed. “Do breeders get any of it?”

Senator Paul Daly (Fianna Fáil) is also chairman of Kilbeggan Racecourse and owner of a single broodmare. He pointed out that many small breeders had a disastrous year as it was not viable for them to send their horses to the British bloodstock sales when Irish sales were moved across the Irish Sea.

The Minister was also asked by a committee member to ensure that any vacancies which arose on the HRI board in the coming months were filled promptly. Among those due to step down from the board shortly is Turf Club Senior Steward Harry McCalmont. He will be replaced on the board by INHSC Steward Laurence McFerran.