HRI announces further quality control measures to address balloting issues
* To enhance the quality, competitiveness and appeal of racing
* To offer substantial prize money ranged in accordance with horsesā ability
* To progressively remove the worst horses from the system
* To encourage re-investment in young bloodstock
* To address the problem of excessive eliminations in low grade handicaps
* To re-enforce the merit-based element in the balloting system
Meanwhile a series of measures will come into effect next year that will see:
* The continued expansion of the fixture list, with 18 additional meetings in 2008, but without compromising Irelandās high prize money levels with a minimum value of ā¬ā¬8,500
* An increase in the minimum qualifying rating for all handicap hurdle races, steeplechases and flat races ā the ratings to rise by 3 for handicaps under all codes of racing
* Measures that will see the lowest rated hurdlers and flat horses removed from the system for next year
* A new mechanism to ensure the speedier removal of the worst horses in the future linked to official ratings rather than the present āthree strikes and outā policy
* Additional changes designed to improve the balloting situation and reward merit
Announcing these measures, Brian Kavanagh, Chief Executive of HRI, said: āThe increasing level of balloting and eliminations from races in Ireland is a source of understandable concern across the industry. Over 11,800 horses were balloted out of races in the first half of 2007 and all parties agree that this is simply not sustainable. While there is no single, easy solution to this problem, HRI has identified a number of measures which will progressively bring about improvement over the current situation.
āIrish Racing must create a balance between the demand for racing opportunities and the need to develop an industry based on quality, merit and competitive prize money levelsā.
The HRI Board has agreed to accelerate further the measures previously adopted in relation to quality control and consequently below is a summary of the key changes:
* Additional opportunities *
The HRI Board has in recent years overseen a significant expansion in the Fixture List, with the total number of meetings up 18 next year and the overall figure being increased by 25% from 279 in 2002 to a record new level of 350 in 2008. At the same time, the number of sanctioned Point-to-Points has grown by 10% from 106 in 2002 to 117 in 2007.
There will be a further small increase in fixtures for 2009 when extra racing ground becomes available and, wherever possible, any new meetings will be in the winter where the greatest shortage of opportunities lies, with a particular concentration on maiden hurdles so as to give inexperienced horses more opportunities to demonstrate their ability. However, providing limitless additional opportunities is not feasible due to the lack of available turf tracks. Moreover, there are insufficient funds available for the prize money that would be required, as the HRI Board has re-affirmed its commitment not to reduce the absolute minimum value below the current level of ā¬ā¬8,500.
* Handicap Qualification Ratings *
The HRI Board has agreed that the minimum qualifying ratings for all handicaps will be increased for next year and that horses below certain specified ratings, as outlined below, will no longer be eligible to run in any races under the relevant code of racing.
* The qualifying rating for handicap hurdles will be raised from 74 to 77 for 2008
* A further increase in the qualifying rating for handicap hurdles to 80 is likely for 2009, after first examining the impact of the initial measures taken
* The qualifying rating for handicap steeplechases will be increased from 64 to 67 for 2008, with a further rise to 70 likely for the following year
* The qualifying rating for flat handicaps will be raised from 42 to 45 for 2008
* This new qualifying rating of 45 for 2008 will also apply for 3yos (down from 47) as well as 4yos+, with 50 (down from 52) the qualifying rating for 2yos
* A further increase in the qualifying rating for flat handicaps to 50 is likely for 2009, after first examining the impact of the changes introduced for 2008
* Removing Horses from System *
The HRI Board has agreed that the horses with the least ability need to be removed from the system quicker than occurs at present. A new mechanism for achieving this objective has been identified which will be based on horsesā official ratings. Consequently, the current three strikes and out policy that applies on the flat will be discontinued next year.
A number of measures are proposed for National Hunt handicaps, predominantly relating to hurdles since there are relatively few balloting problems in handicap steeplechases:
* Actual handicap ratings will continue to be published for all National Hunt horses so as to indicate the true ability of the horse
* Any horse which has an official hurdle rating of 74 or below will, from the start of 2008, no longer be qualified to run in hurdle races in Ireland
* Any horse with an official handicap hurdle rating of 75-76 will be required to run off a mark of 77, with such horses the first to be eliminated from all handicaps
* Any horse with an official steeplechase rating below 67 will be required to run off that mark
2007
* From September 2007, actual handicap ratings will be published for all horses aged four-years-old and upwards to reflect the true ability of the horse, as opposed to the present system where no horse is rated below 42
* Any horse with an official flat handicap rating of 42 or below at the end of the 2007 flat season will no longer be eligible to run in flat races in Ireland
* Any horse with a rating below 42 will no longer be eligible to run in flat races in Ireland
* Any horse with an official flat handicap rating of 42-44 will be required to run off a mark of 45
* The three strikes and out policy will be discontinued as horses will instead be disbarred from racing based upon their official ratings
In addition to the quality control measures that are outlined above, which are being announced now so as to give owners and trainers plenty of advance notice in advance of this yearās sales, HRI has agreed a number of other areas where it will be seeking to introduce measures designed to improve the balloting situation for next year and beyond.
Amongst these measures are:
* The tightening of race conditions (i.e. smaller rating band ranges such as 77-90 for handicap hurdles, and the use of more restricted age qualifications in maiden hurdles) so as to limit the number of horses that are eligible to enter during the busy periods
* Revisions to the balloting sequences in handicaps and WFA races under both codes to further promote the concept of rewarding merit
* In low grade handicaps where a random ballot applies, restricting horses from running twice within a short period (of say between 5 to 7 days) in order that the opportunities are more evenly spread amongst eligible horses
* In handicaps where random balloting applies, discouraging entries and declarations, except for those genuinely wanting to run, will be explored.
