The thoroughbred session, chaired by Lorna Fowler heard views expressed by trainer Jim Bolger, Joe Foley (Ballyhane Stud), Richard Aston (Goldford Stud) and Brendan Holland (Grove Stud). Despite more third level equine courses than ever before, recruitment remains a major problem and in particular a shortage of good riders.

Foley pointed out that the population is becoming more urban, which can only get worse for the agricultural sectors in the future when it comes to staff. Foley was more upbeat when it came to the thoroughbred sales and felt a trickle down effect would result from the current buoyancy in the high-level market.

Aston took a realistic view of Britain’s National Hunt market, which is more select at the top end. “It just seems to flow over troubled waters,” he observed. “We sold at a record price during a recession, which shows it’s a remarkably resilient industry.” Holland was of the view that “Cheltenham drives the National Hunt market and Royal Ascot drives the flat market”, which in turn is a major positive for the second-hand horse market. Bolger called to raise betting tax from 1% to 3%, which would generate a revenue of €150m, enough to make racing self-sufficient and provide €50m for public spending. His other grievance was the dragging of feet when it comes to out-of-training drug testing. He called for steroids to be banned across the board and to have random tests carried out on stud farms.

“It shouldn’t be difficult, and if the Turf Club doesn’t want to do it then the DAFM should.” ITBA Manager Shane O’Dwyer responded: “We’re working closely with the Turf Club and we’re not really at an impasse, it’s just a need to get it right and we need the correct procedures in place to comply at international level.”

Training and recruitment

The challenges surrounding training and recruitment within the industry was one of the main topics of discussion at last Thursday’s Equine Summit held at the Keadeen Hotel in Newbridge, Co Kildare.

Chairman of Teagasc, Dr Noel Cawley said: “It is going to cost more to get young people working in the horse industry, that’s the reality of it.”

CEO of Vulcan Consulting, Lucinda Creighton said: “It is a low margin industry, there are not a lot of people making millions.”

International Irish show jumper, Cameron Hanley said: “I find it really hard to get good staff.” He also suggested that a school to educate grooms could be the answer: “The role of a groom has changed a lot and I think a school would be a fantastic idea.”

Students from the Equine Science course at University of Limerick were invited to voice their thoughts and concerns and they explained that they were unsure of what the equine industry had to offer them, that little is done to promote career opportunities in the sport horse industry.

2. Diversity

CEO of Horse Sport Ireland, Ronan Murphy explained that the main challenge facing his organisation is how to bring our diverse sector together. “We have 28 different affiliates involved in breeding and sport,” Murphy began.

“Each organisation and affiliate needs to look at themselves and work out where to go. A plan and a strategy is fine, but if not resourced it is just a piece of paper.” Murphy then stated that his main objective is: “to lead the organisation through the Indecon change.”

3. Industry collaboration

Sasha Kerins, head of agri food at Grant Thornton, emphasised the importance of both the Irish sport horse and thoroughbred industries working collaboratively to embrace new technologies and changes within the industry in order to retain Ireland’s position as one of the top equestrian nations.

CEO of Horse Racing Ireland, Brian Kavanagh said: “One thing we could do a bit more together on is the whole question of value to the economy of the equine sector in general. We are a much louder voice as a sector combined. I would love to see the funding model for your sector improved. We could help each other,” Kavanagh said.