Appeal result poses questions

Sir, - In all the various pieces on the topic in your April 23rd edition, no one expressed any surprise that the Noble Emperor appeal has resulted in the quashing of all sanctions and fines. We must therefore draw the conclusion that the original decision in Limerick was seriously flawed.

By wrongly decreeing a suspension for one of the best jockeys of his generation and also implicating the owner, who has probably contributed more than any other to National Hunt racing, both here and in the UK, the Limerick stewards arguably damaged racing’s image.

Racing is one of the few industries where Ireland can claim to be world leaders. Those charged with regulating it need to be held to account for their actions, whether they contribute their time in a voluntary or paid capacity.

Will there be sanctions for the acting stewards of the day in Limerick and the stewards’ secretary? Will there be suspensions from duty and some training given?

We are informed that the Turf Club has been carrying out its own review. Even relatively small organisations carry out risk reviews to identify necessary contingency plans. Was this not done by the Turf Club previously or did they miss out on identifying the rather obvious risk that a ‘Noble Emperor type issue’ might arise?

As the Turf Club is a taxpayer-funded organisation, what actions will the Department of Agriculture now take to insist that the Turf Club puts in place ‘fit for purpose’ procedures that protect the reputation of the industry? – Yours etc.,

Dr ED DELANY,

Woodtown,

Drumree,

Co Meath.

More support for NH fillies

Sir, - As a small time breeder of racehorses it is with deep interest I read the article headed ‘HRI to create more races for NH fillies’ in The Irish Field (February 13th, page A3) and would make the following observations:

While the comparative statistics for 2006 versus 2015 for fillies and mares in training - and winning races as a percentage of the total number of horses - are informative it is not the complete picture.

More informative data for 2006 versus 2015 would be the number of horses in training, the number of fillies and mares in training and the number of fillies and mares who won races in those years.

Such data would provide the ratio of the number of fillies and mares in training and their winning performance in 2006 versus 2015 rather than a percentage of the total horses in training. This statistic would certainly help to crystalise the extent of the problem.

I have examined the record of fillies and mares running at the recent Cheltenham Festival. If you take out the mares’ races then only nine mares out of 468 runners lined up or 1.92%.

It certainly highlights the problem and I suspect the position is not too different in Ireland.

While HRI appears to be set against races for three-year-olds of either sex, I believe this should get greater consideration.

My suggestion is the introduction of junior bumpers for three-year-old fillies over a mile and a half. There should also be a further increase in weight allowance for fillies and mares racing against males, and lower entry fees for fillies and mares competing in mixed races.

As we know the filly is an integral part of the breeding process and does all the “heavy lifting” so if we want to increase numbers and improve the quality of fillies in training and subsequently in breeding, the time for action is now. – Yours etc.,

TOM BARRY,

Tramore,

Co Waterford.

Letters to the Editor should be addressed to The Editor, The Irish Field, Irish Farm Centre, Bluebell, Dublin 12. Name, address and telephone number must be included for verification. Letters are published at the Editor’s discretion and the Editor reserves the right to edit letters within reason.