OVER the past few months, Horse Racing Ireland Ownership, has gone through somewhat of a transition. As we emerged from the challenges of covid and racecourse restrictions we also had a number of changes in personnel.

With a new team now in place and the freedom to get out and about again I want to take the opportunity introduce the new members of the team and highlight our plans going forward.

Recently joining me to make up the ownership team in HRI has been Rebecca Meade and Sinead Kenny.

Rebecca has come on board asmmarketing executive and brings with her a wealth of marketing experience and a strong knowledge of racing.

Likewise, our new marketing coordinator Sinead Kenny joined us from Leopardstown.

As well as assisting with events and marketing Sinead is a direct point of contact for all owners, looking after the day-to-day owner administration and ticketing.

Our remit is to promote ownership both domestically and internationally, to assist existing owners on their ownership journey and help improve their ownership experience both on and off the course.

We work very closely with all other HRI departments, ITM and the wider industry, racecourses and stakeholders.

To help us understand what owners and trainers need from us, to gain insight from racing fans about ownership and to shape our communication and decisions going forward we ask you to complete our new ownership survey.

It is for everyone from owners to trainers, industry stakeholders to racegoers. You don’t have to be an owner to complete it.

It is online and will only take a few minutes. A link can be found on our website and social media.

Please feel free to share it with friends and colleagues. Every opinion matters.

We are extremely conscious racing and in turn ownership is competing with many different sports and activities for people’s leisure spend.

With that in mind, our focus for existing owners is very much on improving the ownership experience and providing the best possible customer service we can.

We will continue to work with racecourses and stakeholders to develop the owner journey. To help us improve our communication with owners and enhance the ownership experience we also intend to launch the HRI Ownership Club in the autumn creating an ownership community for all owners to enjoy.

This week saw the launch of our nationwide trainer open mornings which will take place from July to October. We encourage everyone in racing to get behind your local trainer open mornings.

They are a great opportunity to bring someone behind the scenes and introduce them to the stars of the show, the equine athletes.

Our research has shown that 43% of owners get involved in racing through a friend or family so this is your chance to bring one person that bit closer to the action.

Open mornings are free to attend but you must register in advance through www.racehorseownership.ie/openmorning

Over the past year we have created a series of promotional videos for trainers, showcasing facilities and all trainers have to offer.

We are currently creating a digital booklet which will include a short bio on trainers and a link to their video. The booklet will be a fantastic shop window for trainers and promotional tool for ownership.

Any trainers who have not had a video created and are interested in this service can email owners@hri.ie

Ownership along with AIRO are hosting a series of welfare roadshows at racecourses over the next few months.

Owners and guests are welcome to come along and enjoy an evening of racing and find out about post-racing career options for their racehorses.

The first event takes places at Down Royal Racecourse, Friday, July 22nd. It is free to attend and complimentary refreshments will be provided however you must register in advance.

Registration closes at 5pm, Wednesday, July 20th. Email AIRO info@irishracehorseowners.com or Ownership owners@hri.ie

Owners keep an eye out in your email for our next owner race day. A summer BBQ and racing in Tramore on the 11th of August.