LAST week we had the good news that Plusvital is teaming up to offer care packs to the grooms in charge of the best turned out winners of all flat races at Naas during 2021. This will involve over 90 races during the course’s flat season.

There is no denying the excellent work that goes on behind the scenes in racing, and the care and welfare of the horses in the many training yards around the country is down, to a large extent, to the tireless work of the grooms who look after them.

It is therefore appropriate that these efforts are recognised. However, there can only be one winner of a best turned out prize for any race, just as there is only one winner for any race. To this end, it is great to hear of a sponsorship that rewards every groom, such as that which is supported by Eva Maria Bucher Haefner’s Moyglare Stud.

One of racing’s great supporters and benefactors, Eva Maria is a shareholder in the Curragh racecourse and she has also funded major refurbishments to the training grounds. Now comes news that she is to continue sponsorship of catering for stable staff on all race days this season.

Hard-working

The hard-working women and men who look after all runners at racing’s headquarters on every race day will be able to avail of a complimentary meal. This initiative is certainly one that more tracks could look into providing. It comes at a cost, but any sponsor of such a scheme would undoubtedly reap a benefit from doing so.

The Curragh also had news this week that TRI Equestrian and TRM are to continue their partnership with the racecourse for the 2021 season. Stable staff will again be acknowledged for their hard work and dedication, and the benefits start with this weekend’s racing, and run for the 21 race days.

The partnership will include sponsorship of 11 races throughout the year, kicking off with title sponsorship of the Curragh’s second race day of the year on Saturday, April 17th. This will feature the Group 3 TRI Equestrian Gladness Stakes. Other races include the valuable TRM Premier Handicap on Derby Festival Friday and the Tesoro Ladies Race in September, which will be open to both amateur and professional female jockeys.

TRM will continue to support the Curragh’s stable staff appreciation initiative throughout the year. The TRM ‘Best Turned Out Winners Draw’ will be rolled out across the season. Every winner of a best turned out prize for all races this season will continue to receive a TRM-Curragh branded piece of merchandise, while they will gain entry into a draw at the end of the season on October 26th, with the chance to win €1,000.

Evan Arkwright, racing and sponsorship manager of the Curragh, commented: “We are very grateful to both TRI Equestrian and TRM for their continued support, particularly during these unprecedented and challenging times. As our nearest neighbour we are delighted to enhance our very positive partnership with them, working collaboratively to acknowledge the work of stable staff.”

Larry Masterson, chair of TRM, said: “We’re delighted to continue our strong partnership with the Curragh racecourse for the third year. The TRI and TRM success story has been built through racing, and our close working partnership with the Curragh is something that we value dearly. It is with great pleasure we continue to work in close collaboration for the 2021 season.”