‘We’re Way Short’ – Lack Of Entries Forces Cancellation Of Dundalk Barrier Trials

[Wandering Eyes]

A shortfall of 20 horses has forced Irish Thoroughbred Marking to abandon plans for the intended barrier trial fixture at Dundalk on Monday, July 7.

ITM's international representative Jeremy Greene, who has been the driving force behind the concept, revealed that it would not be financially viable to stage the card if a minimum of 70 entries were not received. Only 50 horses had been entered for next Monday's fixture and leading trainers Jack Davison and Gavin Cromwell, both of whom have been big backers of the initiative since its inception in 2020, admitted to being disappointed by the late cancellation. 

“I certainly would be a big supporter of the barrier trials and had a few horses for Monday,” said Cromwell, who readied Brownstown in a Naas barrier trial less than a month after that filly landed a Leopardstown maiden on debut. 

He added, “The barrier trials have been a big addition to us and we've managed to get a couple sold off it as well so we're definitely big supporters of them. I don't know what the reason behind them not filling is as they are a good initiative.”

It has been rumoured that some trainers were reluctant to educate their horses in a race scenario on the polytrack at Dundalk but Davison said he wasn't buying such an explanation as an excuse and said the lack of support for the barrier trials on the whole is something that surprises him.

“It is disappointing,” Davison said. “I planned on trialing five horses and was in favour of trialling at Dundalk. It's a very consistent surface so I can't see the track itself being an excuse for the races not filling. 

“I am surprised that the barrier trials are not proving more popular. From a trainer's point of view, you can't beat a mock race to tell you where you are at. With my trainer's cap on, it's nice to be able to bring your horse away and work them within a bunch of horses in a non-racing environment. It's a big advantage, especially for trainers like myself who are operating with smaller strings.”

Ahead of the opening barrier trial of the year at Naas, Greene told TDN Europe about the financial constraints involved in running the fixtures, and stated that entry fees generated a huge amount of the income required to cover costs. 

Confirming the cancellation of Monday's meeting, he simply said, “We needed 70 entries to run but we only got 50. We're way short. We've publicised them on the Ras website and made it very clear about the conditions that need to be met. We have to put the fields together today so we're not going to make it. It's just one of those things.”

The post ‘We’re Way Short’ –  Lack Of Entries Forces Cancellation Of Dundalk Barrier Trials appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

View the full article