THE Weatherbys ITBA National Hunt Fillies Bonus Scheme is on course to pay out €1 million this year to the owners of fillies and mares in training.

Established in 2014, the scheme pays out a €5,000 bonus when a nominated filly or mare wins a bumper, hurdle or chase confined to maiden mares. In 2018 the scheme was extended to include a number of mares-only handicap hurdles for fillies who did not win their maiden, in addition to supporting the Connolly’s Red Mills EBF Auction Race Series, whereby if a filly wins this race she will receive an additional bonus.

A once-off payment of €200 makes a filly eligible for the duration of their racing careers and they can win a maximum of three bonuses.

Owners and breeders who want their fillies to be eligible to win a bonus in 2022 and beyond must get their application in to the ITBA by next Thursday, September 30th.

Una Tormey of the ITBA said: “The scheme has surpassed the €2 million mark in bonuses paid and, with over 70 winners already this year, we are on course to have 100 bonus winners this year alone. The mares’ race programme has grown substantially over the past number of years and is testament to the success of the scheme.”

Eight mares won at the 2021 Cheltenham Festival and all of them were nominated to the bonus scheme.

To be eligible for entry, fillies must be at least three years of age at time of entry and unraced (under Rules) as of September 30th this year. The filly becomes eligible for bonuses from January 1st next year.

To date over €2.2 million has been paid out to 458 bonus winners. This includes 11 triple and 85 double bonus winners. The bonuses are paid out without deductions.

Tormey added: “The support of HRI and Weatherbys is invaluable to the scheme’s performance and success. We are also grateful to Goffs, Tattersalls Ireland and The Irish Field for their continued support of this initiative.”

Tel: Una on 045-877 543

Email: utormey@itba.ie

Web: itba.ie

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