The Irish Harness Racing is pleased to announce in 2016 a breeding program for Trotteur-Français horses is to commence. As you are aware, the IHRA Board of Directors has embarked on an aggressive project development process during these past two years to enhance the sport in Ireland. This has been most notable during the past twelve months, where substantial progress has been made in the following key areas:
- Securing recognition of the sport through ongoing lobbying of politicians from all four major parties and independent members, with the most notable being members of the Joint Committee for Agriculture, Food and the Marine. During January 2016, this Committee released an extensive report on the Horse Industry in Ireland. Harness Racing features prominently in this report with three key recommendations relating to the sport of which the most notable being for the industry to be funded.
- At the Union of European Trotting (UET) General Assembly Meeting at Vincennes in Paris on Prix d’Amerique weekend in January, IHRA was formally admitted to become the twenty-first member. Arguably, this has been the single most important achievement to date. It will
- Give Irish harness racing greater legitimacy and recognition both in Europe and globally
- Provide Ireland with the opportunity to host international races and other events
- Give Ireland the ability to have a seat at the table to influence decisions made, that affect all in European trotting
Do not underestimate what long-term benefits UET Membership will bring to IHRA
- Dundalk Stadium is recognised as key in our development. The IHRA has been working closely with the management of Dundalk Stadium and Horse Racing Ireland to secure ongoing access for the next few years.
- Totalisator is an important driver of revenue for any racing industry and the IHRA are in advanced negotiations in this area. We expect development work to start in the next couple of weeks with a projected completion date during June.
- Negotiations with International betting companies and broadcasters commenced a number of months ago and some are at an advanced stage, whilst one major export market is now having contracts being drawn up.
- Promotional activity is being planned to attract new owners/trainers to the sport with open days planned and an exhibitor space booked at the Dublin Horse Show where IHRA will have a stand which will include a ‘virtual trotting’ simulator (thanks to our friends in Le-Trot) that will provide people an “almost” real life experience of driving in a trotting race.
Trotteur-Français Breeding Program
We feel now is the best time to introduce a breeding program for Trotteur-Français horses that will further underpin the future development of our industry. The aim is to make it affordable with good, realistic returns for breeders.
What are the advantages of breeding Trotteur-Français Horses?
Le-Trot has one of the best breeding rewards schemes globally to breed Trotteur-Français horses. Ireland has signed a Breeding agreement with Le-Trot and this allows for Trotteur-Français horses to be bred in Ireland and provides the opportunity to receive breeding premiums.
What this means is that all earnings of any Trotteur-Français horse bred in Ireland will receive a 12.5% breeding premium of the purse earned by that horse if that horse races in France. It also not only means they can race in Ireland, but will also have the opportunity to race in France where prize money totals in excess of €225 million annually.
This programme will be subsided by Le-Trot and will include (but not limited to):
- All cost of sales covered by Le-Trot (ie: travel within France, accommodation)
- 37% of the purchase cost of the mare will be paid for by Le-Trot
- A significant percentage of the €125,000 total prize money for the resulting foal to race in 2020 will be paid for by Le-Trot
- Additional subsidies for prize money throughout the horses’ career
- 5% breeder’s premium on total Trotteur-Français earnings in France paid to the breeder irrespective of the owner throughout the horses racing career.
What are the costs and the process involved?
A tender document will be prepared by Le-Trot and circulated to breeders within France. A selection committee appointed by IHRA will travel to France to select suitable mares. This will be with the help of our breeding expert in France. When mares are selected they will enter a draw similar to the one currently used for the race horses. All prospective owners will select their mare in order of draw rules. Nobody will be able to select a mare directly and it will only be by open draw.
Mares
- Cost of Mare €3,500
- Le-Trot Subsidy €1,300
- Net Cost of Mare €2,200
Boarding and Vet Expenses whilst in France
- The mares will be held in farms belonging to IHRA Breeding partners in France. From there, the mares will be handled by a vet pre and post insemination. They will also be transported from our partner’s farm to the place of the selected suitable stallion. Cost of boarding is included from time of its arrival until the mare leaves the farm which can be from one month or for up to four months. All vet bills for the mare will be covered, even on repeated coverings. Mares will be scanned as to being in foal before departure.
Total Cost Per Mare is €850
Stallion Selection and Cost
- A selection of stallions (between 7-10) deemed suitable for the mares will be selected by the IHRA selection committee and resident French expert. The mare’s owner will have the choice of which stallion he puts his mare to.
Costs of Stallion will be between €1,000-€1,500
Transport of Mares from France to Ireland
- When ten mares are confirmed in foal they will be transported to Ireland by our transport partner.
The total cost will be €200
Payment Terms
- March 11th 2016 50% of cost of Mare is due – €1,100
- March 11th 2016 €850 boarding and vet bills due
- Transport cost on collection of Mare €200
- 2017 Stallion fee due 30 days after foal is born
- 1st July 2017 remaining 50% of cost of Mares due €1,100
What is the stakes program for the resulting foals?
There will a total of €125,000 for three year-old stakes races in 2020. These will be:
- Twenty qualifying races which will have a total (minimum) purse per race of €2,750
- A Gold Final which will have a total purse of €40,000
- A Silver Final which will have a total purse of €20,000
- A Bronze Final that will have a total purse of €10,000
- No entry fee for any of the above races
There will be a total of €600 stakes payment made up as follows:
- September 1st 2017 €200
- May 1st 2018 €100
- September 1st 2018 €100
- May 1st 2019 €100
- September 1st 2019 €100
What about Mares already in Ireland?
All Mares currently in Ireland and bought through the Le-Trot program are eligible. A number of options regarding stallions available in Ireland are currently being explored and an announcement on this will be made during the next few weeks.
Building an Industry Together
The IHRA Board of Directors regards this initiative as imperative to underpinning our future Racing Industry. This is just one of the major initiatives the Board is currently working toward and with the help of the people involved in the sport we plan to build an industry that is financially sustainable and rewards those who have invested in it.
Together we can build an industry we are proud of
Interested parties or for more information contact
Mark Flanagan 0862698399
James O’Sullivan 0872571330
