'Opening low-grade races to Irish horses would be win-win' says HRI director

Reopening low-grade races to overseas runners could help boost field sizes in Britain, according to Horse Racing Ireland's director of racing Jason Morris, who believes such a move would benefit British and Irish racing.

Statistics published by the BHA show field sizes have fallen to their lowest levels for a quarter of a century. Between August 1 and September 30, the average number of runners per race in Britain was just 8.4.

In contrast, Racing Post data shows that field sizes in Ireland are increasing from a 33-year low in 2015.

Alhough still below the average of 14.3 runners per race in 2007, the same figure has increased each year since 2015 to show an average of 12.3 runners in 2021.

Irish runners: not permitted to run in some low-grade racing in Britain after Covid-19 protocol was introducedCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

As part of adjustments to its Covid-19 protocols in October 2020, the BHA does not permit horses trained abroad from competing in class five and six handicaps/classified stakes on the Flat, and class five handicaps over jumps.

The restriction was discussed at the Industry Racing Group in May, but the decision was made to continue with it, causing frustration for Irish trainers. There was still no planned end date for the measure, a BHA spokesperson confirmed on Thursday.

Morris told the Racing Post: "With field sizes now under pressure, reopening lower grade British handicaps under both codes to Irish horses should be a win-win in that it would boost runners and competitiveness in Britain, thereby growing turnover and consequent Levy/commercial returns, while also helping Ireland by providing opportunities for some of our surplus horses.

"HRI has at times faced the opposite challenge to Britain with our race programme struggling to cope with the demands of the horse population, resulting in large numbers of horses being balloted out and requiring extra meetings to be added at short notice."

Field sizes: average of 12.3 runners per race in Ireland this yearCredit: Patrick McCann

There have been 9,943 horses in training this year in Ireland, up from 8,688 in 2018, although the current figure has been inflated due to restrictions delaying the return of point-to-points this year, meaning more horses raced under rules. In 2021, the number of races is also up 17 per cent on 2018.

Morris said: "The increases reflect the quality and appeal of our race programme, the tremendous capabilities of those involved in the Irish racing and breeding industry, and the promotional efforts of HRI's ownership department and Irish Thoroughbred Marketing.

"The competitiveness of Irish racing is well recognised internationally and enhances the value of our horses for export.

"The Irish minimum race value is currently €10,000 and we have set ambitious future prize-money targets to grow further the high levels of participation and inwards investment we have seen in recent years."

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