A TOTAL of 73 horses took part in 10 barrier trials at Naas on Monday.

Organised by Irish Thoroughbred Marketing as a means for trainers to showcase unraced horses for sale, the barrier trials were returning to Naas after a three-year break, during which time they were staged at Dundalk Stadium.

ITM’s Jeremy Greene reported: “We had a cap of 80 runners, which we achieved, and there were just a handful of non-runners on the day. There were 22 individual trainers represented. Eight of the trials were for two-year-olds and two were for three-year-olds.”

Joseph O’Brien has been a big supporter of the barrier trials and ran more than 20 horses in Monday’s heats. Jessica Harrington sent 14.

All trials were run around a bend to protect the straight track at Naas.

“Jockeys said it rode lovely and safe,” Greene commented. “There were plenty of bloodstock agents and trainers present and footage of all the trials has been uploaded to ITM’s YouTube page. Some trainers have already reported some interest from potential buyers.”

There were no hitches during the three-hour session. Greene added: “I’d like to thank all at Naas Racecourse, particularly the manager Eamonn McEvoy, the vets, doctors, farriers, stalls handlers and IRIS for their assistance.”

The next barrier trials session is scheduled for Limerick on Monday, July 3rd.