Irish Thoroughbred Breeders' Association

Ahead of the yearling sales season, guidelines for the sale of Thoroughbred breeding and young stock were published through a partnership between the Thoroughbred Breeders' Association (TBA) and the Irish Thoroughbred Breeders' Association (ITBA). These guidelines were created following consultation with industry participants and the support of both Tattersalls and Goffs. Available online, the aim is to help new industry participants navigate the sales preparation and selling processes for optimum equine health and welfare, while also providing transparency on Thoroughbred care before, during and after sales. Ted Voute, Chairman of...

The 2022 Irish Thoroughbred Breeders' Association Educational programme is being finalised following the confirmation that Ireland's Department of Agriculture will pledge to support and co-fund the initiative. The programme will run from May to December. The ITBA will partner with the Irish Equine Centre, HRI's Equuip and Weatherbys, among others, to oversee the programme. In addition, the ITBA will work closely with industry experts as well as industry stakeholders to deliver a wide and diverse programme of topics through the four pillars of its educational programme: Ask The Experts, Summer...

The challenges and opportunities facing the Irish breeding and racing sector took centre stage at the ITBA National Hunt Seminar on Apr. 4. Insights and a balanced debate on the current state of the sector were held between panelists Frank Motherway, Jane Mangan, Kevin Blake, Richard Pugh, Ruby Walsh and MC David Jennings. Other key talking points included breeders premiums/incentives, preparing our stock younger, French-breds and the current race programme. To view the seminar, please click here.

Together For Racing Ireland (TfR Ireland) hosted a group of 30 fifth year LCA students and teaching staff from its three current partner schools: Curragh Post Primary, Kildare Town Community School and St. Paul's Secondary School at Goffs in Kildare on Thursday, Feb. 10. The objective of the Goffs tour was to give students an insight into the Irish bloodstock industry, its position as a world leader and its many rewarding opportunities. Goffs Bloodstock Manager Mary Kilduff led the tour, while insight was provided from the Irish Thoroughbred Breeders' Association...

A survey, focusing on the range of challenges around health, safety and sustainability that employers and key stakeholders face in the racing industry, was launched by Horse Racing Ireland (HRI)'s health and safety division along with the Irish Racehorse Trainers Association (IRTA) and the Irish Thoroughbred Breeders' Association (ITBA). The bespoke online survey, conducted by Red C Research & Marketing, will be anonymous and take 10 minutes to complete. A link to complete the survey will be sent to all industry employers and is also available through equuip's website and...

The 2022 Irish Thoroughbred Breeders' Association National Webinar Series was announced on Sunday. Beginning on Friday, Jan. 28 at 2 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., the first webinar will update viewers on the ITBA's 2021. Chairman John McEnery, Vice Chairman Cathy Grassick and CEO Shane O'Dwyer will provide an update on the organisation and also outline plans for 2022 and beyond. The second session of Friday's webinar is titled "Changing in Today's Environment" and will cover all aspects of operating in today's climate. The panel will discuss all elements around movement...

The ITBA Educational Programme 2021: Breeding Season Preparation Workshop, was announced on Tuesday. Free to attend, the workshop lasts from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Dec. 16. Topics that will be covered are: assisting mares during foaling (Patricia Markey), preparing mares for foaling and postnatal care (Andrea Ryan), the best nutritional plan for pregnant mares during and post foaling and nutritional plans for foals (Lorraine Fradl) and smart approaches to getting mares back in foal plus the importance of selecting the most suitable stallions (Micheal Orlandi). To register, please...

A new virtual workshop titled "A Smart Approach to Yearling Sales Preparation" is slated for Thursday, Aug. 5, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., the Irish Thoroughbred Breeders' Association announced on Friday. All aspects of a good planning programme will be covered in advance of the upcoming yearling sales season. Elements addressed during the free workshop include: farriery, nutrition, transportation and veterinary. The workshop's panelists are breeder/consignor Cathy Grassick of Newtown House Stud, veterinarian Serena Iceton of Troytown Equine Hospital, Connolly RED MILLS equine nutritionist Lorraine Fradl, Master Farrier Martin...

A free online webinar discussing climate change was hosted by the Irish Thoroughbred Breeders' Association on June 25. Among the topics discussed were agroforestry, biodiversity, carbon calculation, grassland and pasture management, soil and mineral management, and management adaptations for climate change mitigation-i.e. alternative energy sources. The keynote speaker was Senator Pippa Hackett, Minister of State for Department of Agriculture with responsibility for Land Use and Biodiversity, whose speech was pre-recorded, as she was speaking on the Climate Bill in the Seanad. Another presenter was Professor John Sweeney, former President of...

The IRE Incentive Scheme, which sets out to stimulate and fortify Irish Thoroughbred breeding, racing and sales, has been launched by Horse Racing Ireland (HRI). The scheme will award a bonus of €10,000 to any owner of Irish-bred winners of 150 selected races across the Irish Flat and National Hunt programmes which may then be redeemed at bloodstock auctions in Ireland. The first nominated race takes place Friday at Dundalk. Qualifying races will include 2-year-old fillies' maidens; 2-year-old auction maidens and median auction races; 3-year-old median auction maidens; and National...

Nominations are now open for the 2021 Irish Godolphin Stud and Stable Staff Awards, and close at 5 p.m. local time on Monday, Apr. 19. The Irish GSSSAs are held in association with the Irish Stablestaff Association, the Irish Thoroughbred Breeders' Association, Racing Post and Horse Racing Ireland. The 10 award categories offer combined prizemoney of over €85,000. Besides prizemoney allocated for the winner, the two finalists and their employers, €100 will be set aside to the short-listed candidates in eight of the award categories. Sandra Hughes, Godolphin's Irish Stud...

The Irish Thoroughbred Breeders' Association honored the human and equine stars of 2020 during a virtual ceremony for its National Breeding and Racing Awards on Saturday evening. The ITBA Hall of Fame inductee for 2020 was the Irish National Stud. Ireland's Minister for Agriculture Charlie McConalogue accepted the honor on behalf of the Irish State, while President Michael D Higgins wrote a personal message to the Irish National Stud in recognition of its national importance. The popular Wild Geese Award, honoring an Irish national who has made an impact on...