4 minute read
....Girls aloud
THE WONDERFUL SPECTACLE that has become the Irish Champions Festival was a fantastic way to celebrate and appreciate the importance of Irish racing and breeding in Europe and, indeed, globally.
The weekend saw increased crowds flock to Leopardstown and The Curragh, despite strong sporting competition coming from events such as the Irish Open Golf at the K Club, the Rugby World Cup and even an Irish European soccer qualifier.
Both racetracks had done an incredible job to ensure that the course and the facilities were in tip top shape for patrons, both equine and human, and their teams must take huge credit for such an excellent job.
It was fantastic to see so many people enjoying the crème de la crème of the bloodstock world. This year’s Festival attracted some of the best horses from Ireland, Britain and France to compete in top class Irish racing and it was also great to see, as a crowning spectacle, Aidan O’Brien train his 4,000th winner on Sunday at The Curragh, a marvellous achievement.
Steve Parkin’s Clipper Logistics enjoyed a fantastic weekend with Group winners at both Leopardstown and The Curragh, courtesy of Flight Plan and Fallen Angel.
Parkin has been a huge supporter of racing and breeding on both sides of the Irish Sea and has recently purchased Dullingham Park Stud. His sponsorship at Leopardstown was rewarded with victory in his own race, the Group 2 Dullingham Park Stakes with Flight Plan.
He bred Fallen Angel out of his race filly Agnes Stewart and many congratulations must go to Parkin’s bloodstock advisor Joe Foley.
It was a wonderful weekend of racing, but also of fashion, food and entertainment; it was a superb Festival for all the family. I have heard nothing but rave reviews from those who attended.
I was especially pleased to see that Horse Racing Ireland (HRI) had pop-ups all around the tracks highlighting and showcasing to the racegoers the important facts and figures of the industry.
Sometimes these numbers and statistics can be forgotten amongst all the excitement of such a big day, but it was nice to see the economic relevance of the sport being promoted on such a big occasion.
The Irish thoroughbred racing and breeding industries are inextricably linked and rely on each other for supply and demand of high-quality thoroughbred horses at home, as well as our export markets.
There are Irish breeders in every county in Ireland providing vital employment and investment in rural communities.
In light of such a fantastic weekend at the Irish Champions Festival it is difficult for many to see what is perceived as the threat of the Gambling Regulation Bill that could undermine the viability of racing in Ireland.
This Gambling Regulation Bill has been to the forefront of many minds in the bloodstock industry in Ireland as it is currently at the fourth stage of the Oireachtas and moving closer in the process of becoming law.
The racing and breeding industries in Ireland are highly supportive of gambling regulation and encourage constructive moves to protect vulnerable people and children, while maintaining a strong and vibrant thoroughbred business.
THERE IS EXCELLENT work being done by HRI and other stakeholders in the industry such as the Irish Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association, the Irish Racehorse Trainers Association and the Association of Irish Racehorse Owners to, hopefully, ensure that minister James Browne can deliver legislation that protects the people of Ireland from the threat of gambling problems without adversely affecting the Irish bloodstock and racing industries.
It is vital to the thoroughbred breeding and racing communities that, while providing adequate and necessary regulations, our business does not fall foul of unintended consequences that could have severe economic repercussions.
This indigenous and rural industry makes a significant horses in Europe and third globally behind only America and Australia. In 2021, 20 of the world’s best 100 racehorses were born in Ireland. The Irish thoroughbred breeding industry is incredibly diverse, ranging from global bloodstock entities with farms and stallions in several countries, to several thousand breeders who own four or five broodmares.
Across the world, Irish horses, breeders, trainers, racehorse owners and jockeys command the highest respect amongst their
If anyone needs to see proof of that they need look no further than the Irish Champions Festival.
