THE Irish Harness Racing Association’s relentless drive to develop the sport continues unabated.

Chairman Mark Flanagan was busy as always when I caught up with during the week.

“We got great news from the Department for Agriculture and the Marine recently,” he said. “Basically they have agreed to 100% fund the next stage in the consultancy process which in turn forms the five-year strategic plan stipulated by the Department.”

The chairman was at pains to point out that the association which he happens to head is not about one man, but rather a strong committee.

The press release thanks committee workers, stakeholders and horsemen for their efforts so far. The latest restructure of the IHRA sees various sub-committees such as racecourse committee, stakeholders, breeders etc, report back to the central body.

The press release from the IHRA had an almost celebratory tone.

The list of achievements is impressive; the import on a sizeable scale of racing stock, the intake of around 40 in foal mares (all under Le Trot mentoring scheme), full membership of the UET (European Trotting Union) sending drivers to compete in the magnificent ‘hippodromes’ in France to name but a few.

On the pacing front, the Vincent Delaney Memorial (mentioned in these pages recently) is the association’s flagship event and it is a measure of how far things have come that the race now warrants bold font in the catalogue entries of colts related to VDM winners back in the birthplace of harness racing i.e. the USA.

LONG TERM GOAL

Mark Flanagan struggles to single out any one aspect of the growth for mention.

“It’s all relevant, it’s all going towards our long term goal of recognition similar to thoroughbred racing or the greyhound industry.”

“The latest tranche of funding is a preamble to the serious projects,” continues Flanagan.

“There are very few things that all political parties agree on in the Dáil so we are encouraged by the fact that all sides of the house are fully behind us.

“For a small population Ireland has enjoyed success way beyond its size in the like of flat racing or show jumping and we have shown that our drivers and trainers share the same innate horsemanship.”

Harness racing is a massive industry in France and Flanagan’s persistence with Le Trot (akin to HRI in Ireland but dedicated to trotting), has certainly borne fruit.

With the oldest ‘Trotteur Français’ foals born in Ireland now yearlings it is hoped that eventually the best will go back to race in France.

The French Trotter breed gets stronger in world terms, and Irish breeders get a shot at a €100 million per annum prize money fund. It’s a win-win deal for both parties.

I asked Mark of the many milestones in recent seasons which one made him most proud?

FUTURE

He mentioned the first PMU meeting at Dundalk and the appearance before the Oireachtas committee, before he finally stated: “The legacy that the current IHRA committee will leave is that, in the very near future, our young people will be able to make a living solely out of working at harness racing, should they so desire.”

Regular trotting attendees, of a certain age, remember Mark (50) as a broth of a boy, flying round the track aboard Southbrook Paul.

As with many administrators in racing codes, he cannot get as much time for his own horses as he would like.

However, on most Saturday mornings he swaps his business suit for a coat and waterproofs and can he be found at the training track out at Meadowbranch Stables.