‘One Of The Most Important Innovations In Recent Times’ – Barrier Trials Return At Naas

[Wandering Eyes]

Leading bloodstock agent Mark McStay has labelled the ITM Barrier Trials as one of the most important innovations on the Irish racing scene for a number of years but implored more trainers to get behind the initiative ahead of the return of the concept at Naas on Monday. 

This year marks the fifth running of the ITM Barrier Trials, with trainers like Joseph O'Brien, Gordon Elliott, Gavin Cromwell, Jessica Harrington, Henry de Bromhead and Donnacha O'Brien heavily represented across a 10-trial card that features races over six and seven furlongs for unraced two- and three-year-old horses respectfully. 

Still, McStay says he would like to see the relatively new initiative receive more support from all corners of the industry, stating that the demand for unraced horses – particularly in Hong Kong – is not being met in Ireland at present. 

He said, “The barrier trials are one of the most important innovations on the Irish racing scene in recent times. I think they will have a huge influence on the trade of horses around the world and they should be supported by all sectors of the industry. We see how in Australia and New Zealand the barrier trials can develop a huge amount of trade to Asia – particularly to Hong Kong.

“It should be noted that for every permit an owner receives to buy raced horses for Hong Kong, four more permits are granted for unraced horses, therefore the demand is plentiful for unraced horses. But that supply is being fulfilled for the most part from the Southern Hemisphere.”

Mark McStay | Goffs

Last year represented the best turnout yet with 218 horses coming through the trials from 40 different stables. Of those 218, a total of 41 were three-year-olds, with the rest of the six and seven furlong races staged for juveniles at Naas, Dundalk and Leopardstown. 

No trainer supported the initiative more than Joseph O'Brien, who was responsible for a quarter [57] of all runners at the trials. In fact, according to ITM's Jeremy Greene, the trials would not have been possible without O'Brien's input given a large portion of the money needed to stage the event is gathered up through entry fees. 

Greene said, “The trials are very expensive to run – you need 70 horses [per meeting], otherwise it's just not worth it. In terms of horses being traded, last year was our best year, with six horses being traded to Hong Kong. And you don't trade cheaply to Hong Kong, either. There were also horses sold to Britain, Saudi Arabia, America, Dubai and more. All told, a combined seven figures was traded on horses from the trials last year, which was pretty good.”

Six horses – Handy Man, Wallen, Eastern Oasis, Egyptian Vulture, Lightning Arrow and Symbol Of Success – were sold to continue their careers in Hong Kong last year. Interestingly, three of those horses were by Starspangledbanner, whose progeny has done so well in that jurisdiction. Only one filly, Va Va Vroom, who was sold privately to the Al Maktoum family in a deal brokered by McStay, was traded from the trials. 

The agent said, “I believe that Irish horse traders are missing a trick by not advertising and marketing their horses in barrier trials. The standard of racing in Ireland is at a standard that garners huge credibility across the globe. We see some of our top trainers such as Joseph O'Brien, Jessica Harrington and more supporting these trials. Therefore, if a horse trials well, it becomes very saleable. Interestingly enough, I purchased a filly [Va Va Vroom] privately from the Harrington stable last year on behalf of Sheikh Hamed Dalmook Al Maktoum following the trial at Naas. Not only has Va Va Vroom won on her second start for the Harrington stable and achieved a rating in the 90s but Lush Lips, who was second to her in her trial at Naas, was sold to continue her career in America where she is holding her own at Group level. The trials are a great innovation but they need to be supported more. I will be monitoring them closely this year in the hope of trying to find another good horse from them.”

Monday's ITM Barrier Trials get going at Naas at 12.30pm. The 10 trials are expected to take place every 20 minutes and the running order can be found online – https://www.itm.ie/buying/barrier-trials/.

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