JUST a few short weeks ago, the point-to-point community – the bedrock of the entire National Hunt racing in this country – heaved a collective sigh of relief with positive news on the insurance front. However, unexpected hurdles have apparently yet to be jumped on that score, reigniting deep concerns.

As plenty of hunt clubs hold their breath waiting for relief on the insurance front while protracted negotiations carry on behind the scenes with European-based companies, what’s needed is a bold new player or players to send a proverbial rocket up the insurance market here.

There is a truly enormous chunk of business to be hoovered up in the sectors deemed to be ‘risky’ and hit with such massive premiums that closure is their only option – the likes of adventure centres, leisure centres, mountain sports, sea sports, hunting, point-to-points, the list is near endless at this stage.

Any White Knights out there? Are there any experienced Irish businesspeople, albeit with the deep pockets needed to initially kick it off, that might be willing to take a punt? They would be throwing a real lifeline to many struggling sectors of the Irish economy as well as protecting our beloved equine sports and our cultural heritage.

Risky business or a sure thing in disguise?

Flying sales trade

Online bidding once again boosted buoyant home trade for good Irish-bred horses and ponies as evidenced by the strength of flying sales at Clifden mart and Goresbridge Horse Sales, rewarding breeders and owner/producer consignors alike.

See Sally Parkyn’s Goresbridge sales coverage pages 102-103 and Judith Faherty’s Clifden Sales report on page 111. Don’t forget the clocks change this weekend!