JANUARY 2018 The Irish Trainer THE NEWSLETTER FOR MEMBERS OF THE IRISH RACEHORSE TRAINERS ASSOCIATION Emotional Durkan win for Gold Cup hero returns in top-class form just weeks after the passing of Alan Potts

Saturday 14 April 2018

The Randox Health Grand National 2018 (Handicap Steeple Chase (Class 1))

Total prize fund £1,000,000 ENTRY DEADLINE: 12 pm, Tuesday, 30 January 2018

Please contact Andrew Tulloch (Clerk of the Course) at [email protected] for further details.

THE IRISH TRAINER / JANUARY 2018 Foreword

Firstly I would like to thank everyone who attended the AGM on Tuesday, 28 November. We had a good turnout, where a lot of issues were discussed. I can assure the members the Committee will be working hard on your behalf during the year. It is not always possible to have all the trainers’ wishes granted, but we do our best to put the trainers’ viewpoints to the relevant bodies, the Turf Club and HRI Those who were unable to attend on the day and would like a copy of the minutes, please contact the office on 045-522981 or email [email protected] On a point of safety please ensure that your staff wear hi-visibility jackets when riding out on these dark mornings.

Kind regards,

Michael Grassick / Irish Racehorse Trainers Association

CONTENTS COVER PHOTO: Trainer: Mrs John Harrington Rule change for handicap chase ratings...... 4 Jockey: R M Power Owner: Ann & Alan Potts Limited Breeder: Bryan & Sandra Mayoh, Eskdale Stud Winners Abroad...... 5 Photographer: Caroline Norris

Upcoming sales dates...... 5

Interview: Pat Keogh, Chief Executive, Leopardstown...... 6

IRTA AGM report...... 11

Runners in British NH Festival races...... 14

Irish Racehorse Trainers Association – Curragh House, Dublin Road, Kildare Chief Executive: Michael Grassick Council Members: Chairman: Noel Meade Jim Gorman Eoin Griffin Vice Chairman: Michael Halford Tom Hogan Andrew McNamara Eric McNamara Tel: 045 522 981 Fax: 045 522 982 Aidan O’Brien Andy Oliver Mob: 087 258 8770 email: [email protected] Patrick Prendergast Jnr. Dermot Weld

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VISIT WWW.IRTA.IE FOR THE LATEST NEWS AND UPDATES 03 THE IRISH TRAINER / JANUARY 2018 Note for Trainers

Information regarding change to Rule 68

� This rule change gives the handicapper the � He can use this discretion to mark a horse discretion to allot Steeplechase ratings to N.H. (Not Handicapped) when it is entered in moderate, exposed horses over hurdles once a handicap chase even though he may have they have run in 1 Steeplechase as opposed to been allotted a Steeplechase rating based 2 Steeplechases as the rule states to date. on 1 Steeplechase run previously, if:

� the horse shows improved form over hurdles � This will benefit trainers of low-grade hurdlers since he was allotted the Steeplechase from having to compete on level terms over rating and hasn’t run in a handicap chase or fences against some of the previous season’s high-class novice hurdlers, and struggling � the horse changes trainer before it runs to compete as a result, often in extreme in a handicap chase. conditions. Such horses may be required to run in at least one more Steeplechase before being qualified � The Stewards of the INHSC have agreed to this to run in a handicap chase. rule change and will review it thereafter. � He will use the following criteria when � It has been agreed with the Irish Racing assessing whether to allot a Steeplechase Trainers Association. rating after 1 run:

� It is to be used by the Handicapper at his � The horse will be rated 102 or less over absolute discretion, treating each horse hurdles and individually, and taking each case on its merits. � Will have run at least 4 times in handicap hurdles � He can use this discretion not to handicap a horse after 1 Steeplechase run, even though (i.e. in the opinion of the handicapper, the horse it may appear to the trainer that his horse will be well exposed and he will be satisfied with his satisfies the criteria outlined below. evaluation of the horse based on all known form.)

04 Note for Trainers Winners   Abroad  Aidan O’Brien moved the benchmark up another notch when Highland Reel made it 28 Group 1’s for 2017 with victory in the Hong Kong Vase at Shah Tin and as already acknowledged, a fantastic achievement. Elsewhere, British Art obliged at Newcastle Information for Keith Watson. On the National Hunt scene things moved regarding up a gear. had an excellent   double with Total Recall victorious in the change to Rule 68 Ladbroke Gold Cup at Newbury and Bene Des  Dieux in the Houghton Mares’ Listed Race at Carlisle. Carlisle also produced a winner for Stuart Crawford when Our Valentina landed the final of the Northern Lights Series Final. Then we had High Expectations at Leicester for Gordon Elliott, Rare Legend at Huntingdon for Shark Hanlon and Famous Lily in the Juvenile Hurdle (L) at Aintree for Gavin Cromwell. As we go to press, 2017 has a bit more to run but by any standard it has been a most successful year. A great reflection on the industry and onwards to 2018.  Every success is wished for the New Year and Well Done.

UPCOMING SALES DATES 23-24 GOFFS UK JAN - January Sale 2018 30-31 TATTERSALLS IRELAND JAN - February National Hunt Sale 1-2 TATTERSALLS FEB - February Sale   7-9 GOFFS    FEB - February Sale 2017 15 TATTERSALLS (IRE) CHELTENHAM FEB - Cheltenham February Sale 15 TATTERSALLS (IRE) CHELTENHAM  MAR - Sale

05 THE IRISH TRAINER / JANUARY 2018

Michael Grassick in conversation with

 Chief Executive,

MICHAEL: “Talk us through your programme were considering whether the new festival for the year.” would work and how we should go about it. We also worked very closely with Jason Morris and PAT: “We hold 23 race days, 15 of those are Flat. the team in HRI to come up with a programme. The National Hunt season for us is quite short, We then had to talk to our existing sponsors as it’s a challenge for a dual-purpose track to they have a very important role in the event. maximise the ground for both codes. We build These days it’s all about festivals, be it sport our hurdles and fences from scratch every year. or entertainment; they’re becoming more and The most important thing is that we present the more important. People love these big days and best possible ground for racing. We are often they want quality. If you produce that, you have asked why we don’t have another National Hunt a good chance of having a successful event. meeting before Christmas but it isn’t feasible if we’re to have the track in the best possible MG: “Was it an easy sell?” condition for those four days of racing which are so important. PK: “Sponsors nowadays have a lot of choice We’re looking forward to the new two-day and all investment can be measured, so Dublin Racing Festival, it’s a big and very sponsorship must prove its value and there are exciting challenge. We felt the three meetings many other potential opportunities besides before were fine, but we couldn’t quite get them racing. On our side is the very strong position of to the level they deserved to be at for such Irish racing. Irish racing is in a very good place, quality racing. The Stan James our racing is top quality and this is well fell a bit too close to Cheltenham and some recognised. Festivals are the shop window of trainers want more of a break, so the Dublin Irish racing and the sponsors really liked the Racing Festival, a week earlier, is nicely timed. Dublin Racing Festival. All our existing The most important people in our industry sponsors of the corresponding races will be are the owners and their representatives, the involved and we have attracted a number of trainers, and we sounded them out when we new ones, which is great.

06 MG: “Competing against international horses opens the door to which of our horses suit the major foreign races and provides an insight in class and conditions. We might change our opinion of what we had thought of as the right horse.”

PK: International racing is so important and it is great to see the best horses racing against each other all over the world. Irish racing is being watched around the world and it is great to see the growth of streaming which facilitates this global viewing. The racing world is a small place now. The strength of the Longines Irish Champions Weekend is attracting British and French runners to Leopardstown and the Curragh and we will hopefully have a German runner before too long. We monitor the numbers who come for the We are keen to attract Japanese horses. music and we’re pleased that generally they arrive Racing is so well supported in Japan that if we early and are there for the racing. We also know had a Japanese runner, it would attract a big that they subsequently return for non-music race travelling party and also increase the viewing of days, so having experienced racing, they want to the racing in Japan. We were unlucky this year come back. We have an average of 5,000 at each of with the Japanese horse, but it will happen. We the Bulmers Live at Leopardstown Evenings and have guaranteed entry races in both Germany many of them are witnessing racing for the first and Japan and these are great to promote the time. If we didn’t have the music you could very Longines Irish Champions Weekend. conservatively take 25% off our attendance figures for those meetings. MG: “Bigger trainers find it difficult to get There used to be a couple of Saturday owners to come to midweek meetings, evening meetings in Leopardstown and they such as Thursday evenings. Owners want worked well. This was long before my time and to make a weekend of it.” they were then changed to midweek. We have eight Bulmers Evenings each year and they PK: We haven’t heard from trainers. The attract in excess of 40,000 people. That is a big meetings are midweek as many people leave number and it accounts for almost 25% of our Dublin on the weekends during the summer. total attendance. We are trying to create an These are very popular with companies as atmosphere and it is nice for the owners to see a either staff events or to entertain customers. good attendance when they have runners. When That target audience would be much smaller at you’re there collecting your trophy you want the weekend. The overall atmosphere of the people around the rails watching. evening appeals and they have racing at the Our student race days are also very successful and core. This isn’t always the case in Britain where they are definitely coming back for subsequent the sport can be overpowered by the music. We race days. Student race days have to be properly see it as an opportunity to promote racing to a wider audience. continued �

07 THE IRISH TRAINER / JANUARY 2018

The owner is king. He buys the horse, pays the training fees, it goes right back to the breeder and the owner pays for the lot. We must realise the importance of the owner, we’ve no show without him. managed and you have to have the facilities for them. While we were learning it was a risk, but Pat Keogh we’ve got better and the students are definitely taking more of an interest in the racing. moment, but if we get 16,000 in and the weather’s bad, the customer experience isn’t where it needs MG: “Having lost the five-furlong and six- to be. Our Weighing Room is well past its sell by furlong track, are there talks of a date as are many of the other facilities for the new sprint track?” support services. It is a priority to bring all these

PK: “It was looked at when the motorway was up to best standard as quickly as possible. built but it was deemed to be too big a challenge and would have been too expensive. It would MG: “The initiative of the new owners’ lounge have involved moving the stable yard and is an excellent one and the facilities there would have gone over the existing reservoir. It are a huge success. You've set the bar very could always be looked at again but it would be high for others to follow, you have it right.” a very big decision. Given the capital cost of the PK: “The owner is king. He buys the horse, pays project you would have to be sure that it could the training fees, it goes right back to the be justified. There has been good progress on breeder and the owner pays for the lot. We must the various sprint tracks around the country. realise the importance of the owner, we’ve no Naas have done a great job on theirs and Cork show without him. It was the very strong view of are about to extend theirs to seven furlongs. the Leopardstown Committee, that if we were While a sprint track would be nice to have in going to create a facility, take the best possible Leopardstown, it isn’t essential. place and that’s where the owner should be We have a very significant capital investment accommodated. We are very pleased with how the programme in place and have already spent €20m Leopardstown Lounge has worked out and the on the facilities. We have just received approval reaction from the owners has been very positive. for the next phase. This is our development priority, so when we have that completed and continued � paid for, we can start looking at future projects.

MG: “When will work start at Leopardstown?”

PK: “We expect work to commence immediately after the Longines Irish Champions Weekend next September. It’s an eighteen-month build and we’ll continue to race throughout the redevelopment programme. It’s very exciting and will bring Leopardstown to another level. We can comfortably look after up to 15,000 at the

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09 THE IRISH TRAINER / JANUARY 2018

MG: “It gives them an identity. Perhaps they two-foot down, is to die for, it's beautiful soil. themselves aren't top sportsmen, but racing The track had been holding water, so we did a gives them that. Was it money well spent?” thorough drainage job on it. It can now take PK: “Yes, it was money very well spent. That is quite a bit of rain and that is really important in our investment in the owner’s experience. If an protecting our National Hunt fixtures. Willie owner has two choices of where to run, he'll Gibbons minds it like it's his own, as his father pick the one where he will enjoy the experience. did before him. We're very lucky to have an Racing needs more owners and the racecourses excellent team in Leopardstown who strive to have an important role in enhancing the present a lovely surface for each meeting. ownership experience. It is vital that we support We have a very good young team here to the trainers in attracting new owners to the support our ambitious plans. David Attwood sport. I believe that the facilities have improved is our Operations Manager and Vicki Donlon all around the country and that is great to see. heads our marketing and events team. We want to do justice to Irish racing and we're the only MG: “Have the problems regarding the shop window in Dublin which has great road crossing been rectified?” potential for racing. PK: “There were issues with the change in the levels and we've dealt with that. The problem MG: “When the Curragh is completed, is, there are major services running directly will that boost your own Longines Irish beneath the road it so it can't be moved. The Champions Weekend day? colour of the surface had also been a problem, so PK: “The Curragh development is very exciting we now dye it. We are satisfied that we have dealt and will be a big boost for Irish racing. It will be with the issue but will keep it under review. great to have the new Curragh for the Longines Irish Champions Weekend in 2019. Ireland MG: “It's the best drained track in the needed a showcase on the world stage and we country and good winter ground.” are very pleased with how it has gone. It has PK: “One thing Leopardstown has is an incredible been a great addition to Irish racing and I have surface. The quality of the soil, even up to absolute confidence in the concept. �

Course manager, Willie Gibbons (right)

HRI’s Jason Morris

10 AGM report

More than 50 trainers were welcomed by Chairman Noel Meade at the AGM held 28 November at the Keadeen Hotel in Newbridge, where Noel assured members he would be remaining as Chairman until an ongoing legal case has been resolved. He also gave a word of caution about dealing with the media, as headlines can be misleading and many reporters jump on sensationalist opportunities that can be harmful to the industry.

Brendan Duke, Patrick Prendergast and Eric be completed McNamara were proposed for the two positions immediately and available on the Council, the latter two securing returned to HRI, as the necessary votes for re-election. the deadline was 13 November. Copies Members were reminded of the Benevolent were available on Fund and may get in touch with the IRTA the day for those office should they find themselves in financial needing them. difficulty or require assistance. The issue of rates Michael Grassick, CEO, then gave a detailed Patrick Prendergast revaluation was report on the year’s events and issues, many discussed, with Meath the next county to be of which are outlined within his review of the affected, in 2018. IRTA has appointed Eamonn year, elsewhere in this issue. He began by Halpin and company as advisors and a special explaining the Stable Staff Pension Scheme. rate of €400 plus VAT is available to members. It is hoped that by mid-2018 there will be In Kildare, appeals proved successful, with a €4,000-€4,500 in each member’s pension 32%-35% reduction on average. Trainers being fund, available to view online and covering all revalued are advised to contact the IRTA office 32 counties. The deed of adherence forms must and their local politicians and councillors for support.

Regarding work permits, two unsuccessful applications were made in 2017 and a specialist has made representations on behalf of IRTA, sending a new submission to Minister Frances Fitzgerald. An update will be issued to members when available. The situation with the Workplace Commission and Working Time Act is also ongoing and IRTA awaits the outcome of the

Eric McNamara continued �

11 THE IRISH TRAINER / JANUARY 2018

Ballydoyle case to see if the result will be of any Dr. Lynn Hillyer benefit to members. It has also proven difficult to establish an agreement with HRI concerning the direct payment of training fees.

Michael also referred to the contamination case in 2016 involving the detection of caffeine, and the similar case more recently, and IRTA will seek legal advice on all options. To date there has been no official response from the Turf Club.

On a more positive note, HRI responded to requests from members to stage more races over certain periods of time and Michael thanked Shane Doyle for his help and HRI for in July on behalf of the IRTA submission and its flexibility in staging the additional races. this is expected to be applied in mid-December. On the sticky subject of UK handicappers, A positive outcome is also expected with regard Michael reflected on the annual outcry over to IRTA complaints against the €200 fine the weights allotted to Irish horses entered in imposed for change of headgear. IRTA has also Cheltenham handicaps. Irish trainers having successfully appealed a number of fines imposed won seven of the 10 handicaps last year, he on trainers regarding passport irregularities and pointed out that it’s difficult to complain, but any trainer fined is advised to contact the IRTA if any trainer is considering making an entry in office for advice. England it is advisable to contact the BHA handicapper, who will give you a rating Similarly, where the handicapper refuses to allow for your horse prior to making any entry. a handicapped horse to run over a distance that the horse has not run previously, Garry O’Gorman Horses imported from outside Ireland with sends a list for review by IRTA and if Michael an official rating feels it is an unfair assessment, IRTA will make of 60 or less will representation on behalf of the trainer. There be allowed to have been a number of successes during the year. run in 45-65 handicaps, but With Turf Club and Department of Agriculture will have to run inspections set to continue, trainers are advised off a mark of 60. that the Department of Agriculture has the HRI made an authority to search any yard and any vehicles in application for the yard, without a warrant. The position in the the rule change areas of responsibility of the Department of Garry O’Gorman to the Turf Club Agriculture remain animal health, veterinary

12 medicines and all aspects the UK. Eric McNamara explained relating to animal welfare and he attended the programmes ancillary related matters, such meeting and there are 29 beginner as animal identification and chases from 1st January to 25th registration of premises where April. IRTA managed to get four equines are kept. races for horses rated less than 102.

Michael then touched upon the “We had none before the meeting poor standard of stable yards at and left with four - one in January, racetracks. With HRI grant-aiding one in February, one in March and projects, there is no excuse for Michael Grassick one in April. This is good progress.” racecourses not to comply with Eric asked members to notify IRTA of any race guidelines. A consultation process between Paul programme issues they would like dealt with. Murtagh, Lynn Hillyer and IRTA is in progress. Regarding a request for extended handicaps on Michael concluded in noting the decline in the the Flat, Michael Grassick pointed out that over number of trainers to 372 currently. Since 2010, the next two weeks a review is to take place of the 22 new trainers took out licences, but only 15 of lower grade handicaps on the flat within HRI. those now still hold a licence. There were 15 new IRTA will be taking part and one of the proposals is trainers this year, the lowest number recorded. to accommodate horses rated between 40-55 and 55-70. A need for more 35-65 races was called Members in attendance then raised concerns for as “they are the horses keeping people in about the points discussed. Three members business and the horses we can sell on.” pointed out they had not received the necessary letter in advance of the Turf Club inspections, Fines regarding passports also caused heated while one trainer was only handed the letter at the discussion, prompting Michael Grassick to advise, time of inspection. It was also noted that some “From the beginning of the year up to 28th Turf Club inspections had exceeded their remit November, there were €106,000 fines issued and carried out the duties of the Department of on trainers, of which €36,000 were passport Agriculture, not present at the time. irregularities. The money goes to the Turf Club and is then deducted from the HRI There was mainly positive reaction to the book money. If there are fines in relation to recording working hours and breaks, which has vaccinations that you feel you have a case proved helpful in 70 Workplace Commissions against, you need to let me know.” inspections this year. The book is available to members on the IRTA website. Dr Lynn Hillyer and her staff had been known to make mistakes, an accepted passport The racing programme gave rise to animated incurring a fine on another inspection, so discussion, one member pointing out there appeals are necessary. are only eight juvenile hurdles, with three before 10th December, three months behind The meeting concluded shortly before 5.30pm.

13 THE IRISH TRAINER / JANUARY 2018 Irish runners in British NH handicaps

Over the past few years, we have had the he/she has an issue with its mark. Far better to annual outcry over the weights allotted have that discussion before you enter (rather to Irish horses entered in the handicaps than afterwards, when it is too late), just as at the spring festivals. what seems to happen every year before Cheltenham and usually extends to Aintree. Whilst it creates plenty of newspaper coverage for journalists, sometimes it can get nasty, To contact the Handicappers, please email: which is a pity but I suppose it is all part of the All chasers, Phil Smith game. However as we won 7 of the 10 handicaps ([email protected]) last season, it’s difficult to complain! Hurdlers from 2m - 2m3f, David Dickinson The idea is that any trainer in the country can ([email protected]) have access to their BHA mark via a simple email which will normally be answered within Hurdlers 2m4f+, Martin Greenwood 24 hours, 48 hours at most. ([email protected])

The BHA Handicappers say that they are It might help diffuse the annual outcry and perfectly willing to discuss a trainer’s horse if get Brexit off to a good start!

14 Irish runners in The 2018 IRTA British NH handicaps Racing Diary WHO | WHAT | WHERE | WHEN

NEW & IMPROVED FOR 2018 JUST €29

Order copies for your office and owners today – call 041 971 2000 THE FESTIVAL 2018 EARLY CLOSING DATES

NAME OF RACE DATE OF CLOSING SCRATCH RACE 2018 DATE 2018 DATE 2018 The Timico 16th March 8th Jan 12th Feb The Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase 14th March 8th Jan 12th Feb The Ryanair Steeple Chase 15th March 8th Jan 12th Feb The Unibet 13th March 15th Jan 12th Feb The Sun Bets Stayers Hurdle 15th March 15th Jan 12th Feb The OLBG Mares Hurdle 13th March 15th Jan 12th Feb The Racing Post 13th March 22nd Jan 19th Feb The RSA Steeple Chase 14th March 22nd Jan 19th Feb The National Hunt Steeple Chase Challenge Cup (Amateur Riders) 13th March 22nd Jan 19th Feb The JLT Novices’ Chase 15th March 22nd Jan 19th Feb The Sky Bet Supreme Novices’ Hurdle 13th March 29th Jan 19th Feb The Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle 14th March 29th Jan 19th Feb The JCB Triumph Hurdle 16th March 29th Jan 19th Feb The Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle Race 16th March 29th Jan 19th Feb The Ultima Handicap Steeple Chase 13th March 19th Feb The Fred Winter Juvenile Novices’ Handicap Hurdle 14th March 19th Feb The Handicap Hurdle 14th March 19th Feb The Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup 15th March 19th Feb The Close Brothers Novices’ Handicap Steeple Chase 13th March 19th Feb The Brown Advisory & Merriebelle Stable Plate (A Handicap Steeple Chase) 15th March 19th Feb The Pertemps Final Network Final Handicap Hurdle 15th March 19th Feb The Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle Race 16th March 19th Feb The Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Steeple Chase 16th March 19th Feb The Randox Health County Handicap Hurdle 16th March 19th Feb The Glenfarclas Cross Country Handicap Steeple Chase 14th March 26th Feb The Weatherbys (NH Flat Race) 14th March 26th Feb The Trull House Stud Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle 15th March 26th Feb The St. James’s Place Foxhunter Steeple Chase Challenge Cup 16th March 26th Feb

If you have any questions about the race programme, please contact Simon Claisse on 07785 293966 or via e-mail [email protected] Any queries regarding tickets, lunches or any aspect of your visit please contact Victoria Bowen-Jones on 01242 537602 or via e-mail [email protected].

For all race conditions head to: www.cheltenham.thejockeyclub.co.uk/more-information/owners-trainers

0364_JC_The Festival Early Closing Dates A5 ad.indd 1 08/12/2017 14:15