Irish Harness Racing Association Background Notes Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine Presentation Date: Tuesday 10 November 2015

What is Trotting? A Global sport (31 countries) valued at +13 billion euros Also referred to as ‘Harness’ Racing Conducted with a horse, sulky and driver Professional meetings run on all-weather surfaces at racetracks (circumference of 800m and upwards), NOT on roads IHRA trainers, drivers and other participants are professional horsemen dedicated to the welfare of the horse Globally, Trotting is recognised as a ‘Rural’ Horse Sport, more akin to people from Farming & Horse Communities

Trotting in Europe Trotting is the largest professional Horse Racing Sport on mainland Europe and Scandinavia This Sport of Trotting is BIGGER than Thoroughbred Horseracing

Irish Harness Racing Association (IHRA) Internationally recognised body representing the sport of Trotting in Ireland Member of World Trotting Federation Representatives are on a number of Global Trotting Sub-Committees Currently being audited to be upgraded to a Full Member of the Union of European Trotting (akin to a country becoming a full member of EU)

What the IHRA is Not! Road or Sulky Racing Irish Harness Racing Association is: The legitimate and professional association for Trotting in Ireland As noted, the recognised body globally As a body the IHRA is prepared to assist in solving the current ‘Road-Racing’ Social Issues

Trotting in Europe Largest Horse Racing sport across 21 countries In France, the industry is worth more than 6 billion euros in direct benefits to the economy Europe enforces the same – if not stronger – integrity rules as compared to Thoroughbred horseracing +230 Trotting tracks in France Industry in France employs +60,000 people A Trotting track in rural towns is common

Shared Racecourse Facilities Globally it has been shown that having strong Trotting and Thoroughbred Industries can grow the overall Horse market for a country Domestically & Internationally In ALL countries [except Ireland] where both Trotting and Thoroughbred racing is conducted Racecourse facilities are shared This includes conducting individual and joint race- meetings on the SAME day Horse integrity and welfare are of equal concern across both Trotting & Thoroughbreds

Shared Racecourse Facilities Ireland is the ONLY country where the Thoroughbred Governing Authority (Horse Racing Ireland – HRI) can override a privately owned racecourse from having Trotting HRI argue it is for ‘Welfare’, ‘Commercial’, ‘Track’ reasons All their arguments have NO basis

Dundalk Success Trotting Race Meeting 27 September at the Dundalk All-Weather Thoroughbred Racetrack Well attended including International Representation from France and Governing Body Union of European Trotting Met or exceeded all Veterinary Standards Dundalk keen for more meetings to occur Has opened the door for the exporting of Irish Harness Racing to new Global Markets

Why should Trotting in Ireland be Supported? Irish Trotting is recognised Internationally Other Countries – primarily through the French Mentoring Programme – are supporting the development of Trotting in Ireland with – Entering third year of French programme – Subsidised horses to race – Prizemoney to the value of euros – Educational support for both industry professionals and young persons seeking an Equine career

Export Market Potential The IHRA has been developing Export Opportunities to France and other markets Should the French PMU import Irish Trotting this will result in Commissions direct to the Irish economy of more than euros per meeting There is an ongoing International demand for Trotting and both Irish races and horses are highly thought of

Not Only Export But… Australia is subsidising an Irish horse to compete in the richest series in the Southern Hemisphere in November & December Subsidies have been for both travel and prize- money for the qualifying races in Ireland The horse – Meadowbranch DJ – has arrived in Perth This can be considered the same as the great thoroughbred ‘Vintage Crop’ competing and winning the Melbourne Cup for Ireland in 1993

Road/Sulky-Racing The IHRA is an independent body that is NOT associated with this practise The IHRA recognises this is a social issue Road-Racing is a problem that DOES NOT exist in Europe WHY? One reason is the strength of the Legislation & Governance of their Trotting Industries Through lack of investment in Ireland of the Trotting industry Road-Racing has evolved. Mainland European Countries built Rural Community tracks and encouraged local participants to own and race a horse at one of these recognised Trotting tracks

Road-Racing Problem How Can The IHRA Assist? As an independent professional body we will work with Government to find the solution The Solution Development of Trotting Tracks in various counties across Ireland Education process over time for the ‘Road-Racers’ to race on recognised trotting tracks Decent prizemoney, off-course betting and export opportunities will provide the solution to the ‘Road-Racing’ issue In most case Road-Racing horses have the correct ‘passports’ These horses should race under the administration of the correct Globally recognised Authority – the IHRA The IHRA will accommodate Road-Racers and their horses access should IHRA tracks be developed

IHRA to Date Has been self-funded The Association has taken a grass-roots sport that is now recognised globally Is on the verge of becoming one of the key countries within the Global Trotting Industry Developing Export markets for Ireland Creating other industries and jobs in Ireland including Breeding and an International Tote Trotting Hub

Achieving Goals Unless there is some form of Government recognition and financial support these developments will not reach their maximum potential The IHRA has met with many Department of Agriculture personnel and submitted papers requesting Appropriation within the October Budget for: euros for Business Development euros for Veterinary issues EVERY Horse Sport received significant increases in Appropriation except one Harness Racing – the IHRA received ZERO And yet, Harness Racing is the only Horse Sport than can offer the greatest Financial Return to Ireland through Export of Pictures (a figure significantly higher than Thoroughbreds currently generate)

For This Initial euros the IHRA will become a Horse Sport and Industry that will deliver Ireland Economic growth and benefits and be an Industry Ireland will be proud to promote both Domestically & Internationally