We are delighted that the ROA have extended the offer for AIRO members to book into the ROA Cheltenham Festival marquee for Cheltenham Festival 2025. 

Details are as follows:-
We are delighted to announce that the ROA Cheltenham Marquee will be returning to its previous location next to the shopping village for the 2025 Festival. The feedback we received on last years’ venue was that although more spacious, the location was too far away from the heart of the action, which meant getting out to see races live was difficult.
 
Numbers for the 2025 marquee will be capped for the comfort and safety of everyone in attendance. Members can book places for themselves and up to three guests on each of the four days, but please note that only daily badges are available. The ROA marquee is always extremely popular, so we would urge you to book as soon as you are able.  
 
As in previous years, there will be hot and cold food on sale, a private bar, Tote facilities and numerous TV screens so you won't miss any of the action. Seats and tables are available, but please be aware that these cannot be reserved. 
 
​We will also be holding a free-to-enter ‘champion tipster’ competition each day for everyone in the marquee.
 
Access to the marquee requires Club admission, which is not included in the price of the marquee badge, but can be purchased directly from Cheltenham Racecourse. 
 
We always sell out well in advance, so if you want to join us, please book early. Marquee badges will not be available for purchase on the day. 
 
The 2025 prices per day are: 

• AIRO/ROA MEMBERS: £70 members £80 guests (up to three guests per member per day)

 
Anyone wishing to book should call the ROA office on 0044 1183 385680.
 

The Association of Irish Racehorse Owners celebrated their annual 'Irish Racehorse Owners Awards' in the Cashel Palace Hotel on Friday 8th November, 2024.  
MC Richard Pugh welcomed all guests and we had a brief online address from Minister of State Martin Heydon on the importance of the Equine industry as he congratulated all award winners.  AIRO's Chairman David Hyland welcomed all guests and in his address he stressed the importance of Prizemoney and noted that there has been no significant increase in mid-section of both codes of racing since 2008, which is not acceptable.  He also encouraged all stakeholders to work together for common good of the industry though concise, transparent engagement with good inter-industry relationships and communications key to keeping us at the top of our game.  He further noted that Welfare was the biggest issue facing Irish racing and that a lot more needs to be done to securing a progressive plan going forward.
He thanked all our sponsors for their generosity and support namely Ballylinch Stud, Bermingham Cameras, Connolly RED MILLS, Crossogue Preserves, Coolmore Stud, Godolphin Ireland, Goffs, HRI Ownership, ITBA, Irish Thoroughbred Marketing, Howden Insurance, Mount Falcon Estate, Tattersalls Ireland, The Irish Field and Weatherbys Ireland, your support is really appreciated. He also welcomed our new sponsors namely HRI Welfare, the Irish Racing Yearbook and SES Equine Services Ltd, and thanked them profusely for their generosity.  He also mentioned Ciara Lacy who made the fabulous floral arrangements, the Hotel and staff for all their assistance, the Racing TV presenters for their help in selecting the award winners and finally the Awards Committee consisting of Caren Walsh, Sandra Fox and Richie Galway together with manager Regina Byrne for putting the whole night together.
He praised the exceptionally talented artists Jason O'Ceannobhain and Kevin Casey who produced the awards pieces for the event and finally thanked the MC Richard Pugh and his co-host Jane Mangan for their brilliance.
A super night was enjoyed by all lucky enough to attend this jam-packed event..
​

Irish Owners are asked to Vote for the 'Irish Racecourse of the Year 2024' which will be given out at the Irish Racehorse Owners Awards in the Cashel Palace Hotel on Friday 8th November, 2024.

Following the broadcast of the RTE Investigates documentary ‘Making a Killing’ on Wednesday night, AIRO was shocked, upset, and horrified by the content presented. The distressing images from the abattoir depicted practices that do not demonstrate an appropriate level of respect and care for the animals, which AIRO condemns unequivocally. We maintain a zero-tolerance policy for the mistreatment or abuse of horses under any circumstances.

​We welcome any investigation by the Department of Agriculture, Food, and the Marine (DAFM) and An Garda Síochána to address the sickening cruelty, criminality, and fraudulent activities exposed in the documentary involving horses . We concur with statements from Horse Racing Ireland (HRI) and other industry bodies and will continue to collaborate closely with all stakeholders to ensure the best practices in responsible racehorse ownership are enforced and upheld.

Now in its tenth year, the Weathersby’s ITBA NH Fillies Scheme remains open until 30th September 2023.  
 
If you are a NH Breeder or Owner and wish to make your filly eligible for the scheme, the terms and conditions remain as follows: 
 

• 3YO+ at time of entry
• Unraced (under rules) at closing date 30th September, 2023
• €200 to be paid to the ITBA before the closing date as above.

 
This is a once-off payment that makes your filly eligible for bonuses amounting to €17,500. Once entered, eligibility will start on 1st January, 2024. 
 
Fillies purchased at any Irish Store Sale will automatically be eligible once they are sold through the ring, with the vendor paying €50 at entry and the purchaser paying the additional €150 directly to the sales company.  
Fillies bought outside the ring but processed through the sales company are also eligible. Those lots purchased outside the ring and not using the sales company or unsold lots will need to have the additional €150 paid to the ITBA before the closing date to ensure her eligibility. 
Owners of fillies not presented at store sales will pay €200 to the ITBA before the closing date.
 
There are bonuses attached to every mare’s only maiden race in Ireland: Bumpers, Maiden Hurdles and Beginners Chases.  The bonuses are paid to the winning owners in the following way:
€5,000 - Mares only Bumper
€5,000 - Mares only Maiden Hurdle
€5,000 - Mares only Beginners Chase
From 1st January 2024, all IRE Bred fillies will now be eligible to win €7,500 when winning her first bonus. 
 
The scheme includes a number of Mares only Handicap Hurdles for fillies that did not win their maiden and also supports the Connolly’s RED MILLS EBF Auction Race Series.
 
Should you have any fillies you wish to make eligible, please use the attached form.

There will be an Extraordinary General Meeting of AIRO Racing CLG on Thursday 19th October, 2023 at their registered offices at ITBA Buildings, Greenhills, Kill, Co. Kildare at 6pm.  The purposes of the EGM is to make a declaration as per the constitution as to the AIRO nominee for the HRI Board.  All members are welcome.

​The tremendous work of Treo Eile in the past couple of years was very much evident at the Tattersalls Ireland July Show where The Tattersalls Ireland and Treo Eile Racehorse to Riding Horse Class attracted a record number of entries.  
 
Earlier this year Tattersalls Ireland partnered with Treo Eile to sponsor the Showing Pathway Series 2023. The aim of the series is to identify racehorses which are judged to have transitioned to be suitable riding horses and is open to both raced and unraced Thoroughbreds. The series consists of eight qualifiers, which commenced on Saturday May 20, with the grand finale on Sunday September 3 at the Royal Meath Show. 
 
The torrential rain certainly didn't dampen numbers at the Tattersalls Ireland July Show particularly in the Tattersalls Ireland Treo Eile Showing Pathway Qualifiers on Wednesday, July 19. The Novice Racehorse to Rding Class saw 25 combinations line up under ride judge Mrs Michelle Burgess and confirmation judge The Hon. Mrs. Cavendish, both of whom travelled over from the UK to conduct proceedings.
 
All 25 combinations were required to perform an individual show after the initial go around. Given the numbers in the ring, many of whom are only off the track this year, all combinations performed impeccably. Ring steward and Tattersalls Chairman Edmond Mahony, under instruction from the judges beckoned forward Sofie Walshe and KINSAU as their winner of the novice class. Kinsau is a once raced gelding who has found his niche eventing under Sofie. Taking second place was Anglesey Lodge vet Sarah Gayer on her own Home Farm, a five-time winner from 30 runs when racing in the colours of Chris Jones. Yeomanstown Stud’s Rolline O’Callaghan took third place on her own Dark Angel gelding Dante’s Pass, a two-time winner when running in the colours of his owner/rider. Dual Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Al Boum Photo occupied fourth position on his showing debut for Louise Duffy. 
 
Burgess and Cavendish had fewer to judge but no easier task when twelve competitors entered the arena for Open class. This time all horses were ridden by Burgess and required to strip for the conformation element judged by Cavendish. Burgess seemed to relish the opportunity to ride these ex-racehorses and opened them up for a serious gallop along the long side. Mahoney once again was responsible for pulling forward the winners and Philippa Scott’s Milliner took the top spot much to the delight of her partner, the Lusk trainer Thomas McGrath. Scott’s father, renowned show horse producer Philip Scott was once again beaming to see Milliner standing top of the line as he missed the Racehorse class at this show last year instead deputising in the Riding Horse class which he duly won. Another Gold Cup winner, Sizing John took the runner up spot under Kate Harrington with the RDS qualified Mickah Wallace in third under Stephanie McGlynn. Last year’s RDS Champion and Irish Grand National Winner General Principle took the green rosette in fourth place. 
 
Among the entries on the day were an array of representatives from throughout the industry; pony club, riding club and the racing industry alike. 
 
Partnerships such as Snow Falcon and Emma Connolly who works for Noel Meade Racing, are just an example of the care and affection given to these horses. Emma has looked after Snow Falcon for 10 years throughout his racing career. The duo are now enjoying their new endeavours in the showing ring. 
 
Other long-term partnerships include Seainin Mahon & General Principle, Kate Harrington & Sizing John to mention a few. 
 
 
Follow Treo Eile’s social media channels to follow these horses’ journeys into their new careers. 
 

HRI Welfare Department have notified us of a change in Directive 16 regarding the Horses Retired from Racing - Non-Racing Declaration.  Please see below the details (outlined in section 3) of the changes whereby Trainers and Owners can notify HRI of a horse being 'Retired from Racing'

AIRO are delighted to be working in association with the Irish Equine Centre and together have developed a selection of packages (Gold, Silver and Bronze) for Owners who may have their horses at home and want to ensure that they return into training in the best possible shape ahead of the 2023/24 season.  These packages are discounted and specifically for AIRO Members.

For further information on how to avail of these packages contact the Irish Equine Centre on 045 866266.