Boost for Irish vendors as barrier trials return at Dundalk on July 29

Irish bloodstock vendors have been boosted by the return of barrier trials this month, with the mock races for unraced two-year-olds and three-year-olds set to resume at Dundalk on July 29.

The Irish Thoroughbred Marketing initiative, which was first launched in Ireland in 2018 at Dundalk, is an important fixture of racing in Australia, New Zealand and Hong Kong, with the trials in Ireland designed to be a tool for advertising unraced talent to foreign buyers.

During a challenging time for breeze-up and other bloodstock consignors, the trials, which are backed by both the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board and Irish European Breeders’ Fund, could offer another avenue for unraced stock to be sold.

Irish EBF chairman John O'Connor said: "Now, more than ever, the barrier trials will provide a valuable opportunity for the Irish bloodstock industry to showcase a proven quality product to a wider market and we are pleased to play our part by supporting them at Dundalk in July and hopefully again in August."

The results of the trials are not included in a horse's racecard form but are freely available on the ITM website, where times and high-definition videos can also be accessed.

A number of runners who contested Irish barrier trials last season went on to make their presence felt on home soil, with last weekend's Group 3 Brownstown Stakes winner Valeria Messalina having showcased her potential in a barrier trial at Naas last September.

The Jessica Harrington-trained filly scored at 9-1 (from 33s) on her rules debut at Naas when denying another barrier trial graduate, Now The King (since sold to Hong Kong where named Delightful Laos).

Earlier on the same Naas card, another maiden was won by Eloy D’amerval, backed into 11-2 from 66-1 the previous evening, while runner-up Johan Zoffani returned at 6-1 having been 14-1, also a former barrier trial runner.

Eloy D’Amerval and Johan Zoffani: finished 1-2 in a Naas maiden last year after advertising their talents in barrier trialsCredit: Patrick McCann

Entries opened for the trials on Wednesday and will close on Friday July 24, with the terms and conditions listed on ITM's website.

The trials will operate under the same Covid-19 protocols in operation on regular racedays at present, while another date for the mock races is scheduled for Monday August 24, pending approval from those with whom ITM cooperates.

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