Sir, - I feel Patrick Cooper is missing the point in his letter in lasts week’s edition (Irish Derby numbers still a concern, p4, July 5th).

The Irish Derby is the only Group 1 race run in Ireland at present for colts over 12 furlongs and I feel his proposal to reduce this race to 10 furlongs would be a backward step for Irish racing.

He compares field sizes of the Irish Derby with the French Derby (10.5f) over the last decade but that alone does not tell the whole story. If Mr Cooper would look at recent runnings of prestigious 10-furlong contests like the Prince of Wales’s Stakes, the Eclipse, the Juddmonte International and the Irish Champion Stakes, he will see that field sizes also seem to matter very little.

Some of these races have had very poor fields in recent years and he suggests we should add another 10-furlong event to the calendar.

Last Saturday’s Eclipse only had six runners for example. Some of these races in recent years have had only four runners.

Where are the runners going to come from for this 10-furlong Irish Derby, bearing in mind the four races I mention above are open to older horses and his proposed Irish Derby would be three-year-olds only?

With the small fields in recent runnings of 10-furlong Group 1 races, there is no place for such an event a week before the Eclipse Stakes when the Irish Derby is generally held. Moving the race to a different date will not make any significant difference as there is already the Juddmonte International in August and the Irish Champion Stakes in September - both very important races.

What we need in this country is another Group 1 race for colts over 12 furlongs and not losing the only one we have. Racing needs to protect the races over 12 furlongs and further which have, in most cases, been there for years. We have enough races over shorter distances. It’s best if we just leave the Irish Derby as it is. - Yours etc.,

Graham Smith

Collon,

Co Louth

Sir, – We, the family of the late Kevin Prendergast, wish to extend our heartfelt thanks and sincere appreciation to all who supported us during our recent loss. Your kind expressions of sympathy, comforting words, cards, flowers, and presence have meant so much to us in this difficult time. Your love and support have brought us great comfort as we remember and honour Kevin’s life. Thank you for your kindness and compassion. - Yours etc.,

The family of Kevin Prendergast

Sir, - Naas Racecourse in one of the best managed, quality courses in the country. It consistently attracts a large attendance and field sizes. I can’t believe it hasn’t been assigned a Group 1 race already. If there is a petition, I would gladly sign it. To the powers that be: give Naas its Group 1. I cannot think of another track that deserves it more. - Yours etc.,

Jennifer Cullen

Kildare