TRAINERS will continue to push for a new centralised system of collecting training fees in an effort to prevent cash-flow problems.

The issue of training bills not being paid promptly was back in the news this week when Al Shaqab Racing admitted it had been negligent in paying a number of British trainers in 2017. The Qatari operation, which has enjoyed top-class success with Treve and Galileo Gold, has promised to settle its accounts shortly.

Al Shaqab has no Irish presence but the problems caused by slow payers are frequently experienced here, according to Michael Grassick of the Irish Racehorse Trainers Association.

“It has always been a part of life for trainers at all levels,” he said. “I think the best way forward is a centralised payments system operated by Horse Racing Ireland through which training fees are transferred from owners to trainers regularly.”

HRI has the ability to implement such a system but the IRTA says it has yet to get the Association of Irish Racehorse Owners on-side. Grassick said: “We had some meetings last year and we will hopefully meet again soon. We would rather have everyone on board with this rather than foist it on anyone.”

AIRO manager Aiden Burns said: “We want to be as helpful as we can to trainers but we have concerns over some aspects of this. Some owners like to pay the bills themselves, others offset training fees against other services they provide to trainers. There are lots of different arrangements in place. It’s not that simple. We’ll meet again shortly to discuss it.”

Suzanne Eade, HRO’s chief financial officer, confirmed that HRI has no objection to getting involved. “We are positive about it but we can’t drive it. It has to come from the trainers and I know they are trying to get traction from the owners. We already provide this service to some people but only on their instruction.”