TRAINER Gavin Cromwell has welcomed news of three €15,000 handicap hurdles which will be confined to horses owned by racing clubs and syndicates.
The initiative is being promoted by Horse Racing Ireland’s racehorse ownership division [HRI Owners] and sponsored by the Tote.
Cromwell, who has enjoyed notable success with horses in shared ownership, said: “It sounds very appealing and I expect to have more than one runner in each of these races.
“Lower tier owners are finding it hard to compete, so this is a good initiative.”
To be known as the ‘Tote Backs Your Team Handicap Hurdle’, the three races will only be open to horses which are the sole property of a syndicate or racing club.
The horse must have run for the same owner on its previous run.
The races take place in Cork, Bellewstown and Gowran Park, with the first race taking place in Cork on July 12th. These ‘benchmark’ handicaps will see horses rated 109 allocated 11st 10lb.
Amber Byrne, HRI’s owner development manager, said: “This is a pilot scheme. Syndicate and club ownership is recognised as the growth area in the domestic market.
“These dedicated races give us an opportunity to invite potential owners to the races and promote multiple ownership to our target market. We are grateful to both the Tote for supporting the races and the HRI Programmes Committee for allowing us to trial the scheme.”
Ross Kierans, the Tote’s general manager, added: “We are delighted to have this opportunity to support racehorse ownership through sponsorship of these unique races. It is a new way for us to demonstrate our decades long support for Irish racing.”
Aiden Burns, general manager of the Association of Irish Racehorse Owners, said: “This is a very positive initiative and will give recognition to the important role played by syndicates and racing clubs.
“It will also generate a great atmosphere in the parade ring and at the race meetings, which in turn may attract more people to go racing.”
Trial races
July 12th: Cork 2m
August 29th: Bellewstown 2m 4f
October 5th: Gowran Park 2m