AIRO November newsletter

Our latest newsletter was distributed to members on November 8th with the latest updates from the association, including news on the AIRO appointment to the HRI Board, the AIRO public liability insurance and the race programme for 45-65 rated horses.

AIRO Appointment to HRI Board

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Michael Creed has appointed Caren Walsh to the board of Horse Racing Ireland.

“I’m delighted that I have been appointed to the Board of HRI. I am looking forward to having a good working relationship with all the members of the board to improve and enhance racehorse ownership,” said Walsh.

“I would like to thank all the members who voted for me and look forward to meeting you at racecourses around the country.

“Please do not hesitate to contact me with any queries or ideas that you may have on 086 1708053 or [email protected]”


AIRO Public Liability Insurance 

One of the chief benefits of your AIRO membership is the valuable Third Party Liability Insurance for Racehorse Owners.

Public Liability insurance is undoubtedly one of the most important insurance policies you should have as an owner, and as an AIRO member, this is covered up to a limit of €6,500,000. 

The AIRO public liability policy provides cover for third party property damage and bodily injury to a third party in respect of your ownership of any horse kept for the purposes of racing under rules or point-to-pointing if with a licensed trainer.

Your insurance will indemnify you for damages that you are legally liable to pay, but insurers will also defend your position in court, should you not be responsible for the incident. 

As an added benefit of being part of the AIRO you are also eligible for a discount off all bloodstock mortality policies via the AIRO insurance brokers, Howden UK.

If you have a query or require further information about the AIRO public liability policy or any additional products please contact Howden on (0044) 207 1331 382.  


45 to 65

AIRO have a representative on the flat programming working group and are treating this issue with the urgency it requires. 

AIRO have also requested a meeting with HRI to discuss this topic specifically in the coming weeks and this has been scheduled later this month. This will allow AIRO to convey the difficulties faced by many of its members who are owners of horses in this bracket and their struggle to find suitable opportunities.


Racecourse Award

Naas Racecourse has been selected as the Racecourse of the Year by the association’s members, in a poll to identify which racecourse owners felt treated them best.

“We are pleased to announce that Naas Racecourse was the comprehensive winner and we take this opportunity to thank the management and all the team at Naas for their efforts in giving well deserved recognition to our racehorse owners,” commented Aidan Burns, AIRO Manager. 

In 2018 Naas Racecourse, in conjunction with Horse Racing Ireland, invested €1.7 million on their feature building, The Circle. The Owners & Trainers Lounge is located on the first floor of the unique shaped cylindrical building overlooking the track and parade ring.

Chairman of Naas Racecourse Dermot Cantillon said: “The entire team at Naas Racecourse are very proud to receive the Racecourse of the Year Award of Merit from AIRO and the Irish Field. Owners are an extremely important stakeholders in the industry and we would like to take this opportunity to thank all owners for their continued support.  We would also like to express our gratitude to the owners in recognising our efforts made and voting for us.”

A presentation will be made to Naas Racecourse on Saturday November 9th in the parade ring prior to the feature race on the afternoon.

Thank you to all members who voted, and all those who returned their vote were included in the draw for a case of wine which was won by Tom Brennan of Hilltown Stud, Co. Meath.


Constitution Sub-Committee

The constitution sub-committee are making excellent progress. This committee have reviewed the entire constitution and listened to the views of many members over the past few months. 

AIRO look forward to advising members in the near future of their progress which should stand the association in good stead going forward. 


AIRO Meetings

AIRO Council members will be attending a number of race meetings across the country in the coming months to give members the opportunity to speak directly with us about any issues that you would like to bring to our attention, which we may be able to address on your behalf.

We will publicise these dates on our website in due course and look forward to meeting with you.

Welfare Meeting
Caren Walsh was present at a Welfare Meeting chaired by John Osborne that was attended by a cross section of the race horse industry.

This was a meeting to create awareness and impress upon the industry that the welfare and traceability of our horses is of utmost importance and needs our immediate attention.

As owners, we have a responsibility to ensure that when a horse has finished racing we are mindful of its future welfare. We have choices - going to stud, retire to a field or retraining. 

The HRI Ownership Department are developing a digital platform to bring together retired race horses and second career opportunities. Horse Racing Ireland are also resourcing a point of contact to provide advice for owners regarding the options for retired horses.


Dundalk Awards

AIRO have come together with Dundalk Stadium to create the New Winter Season Awards to recognise those horses and their owners who thrive on the all-weather at the course during the winter months.

Running from November to March, there will two awards, one for the horse with the most wins, and the second for the horse that accumulates the greatest haul of points in the Winter Series based on a points system where seven points will be awarded for a race win, six points for second, five points for third, etc.

The award winners will be celebrated at a new Winter Series Awards Day on Saturday April 4th, which will include a seven race card with race values of twice the normal value for the grade.


Free Race Days

There are six further free race days for current racehorse owners with an AIR card whose is returned in training at the time and they can be viewed below:

November
Sun 17th November – Cork
Sat 23rd November – Gowran Park

December
Thurs 5th December – Clonmel
Sat 14th December – Fairyhouse
Tues 16th December – Naas
Sun 29th December - Limerick


Godolphin Awards

The annual Godolphin Stud and Stable Staff Awards were presented at the Killashee Hotel in Kildare late last month, recognising the invaluable efforts of the industries stable staff in a ceremony were over €80,000 was handed out in prizes.

The ten winners were:
 
Irish Racing Excellence Award
Audrey O’Neill, Rider/Groom, John Oxx’s, Kildare
 
Racing and Breeding Support Services Award
Wayne Middleton, Strength & Conditioning Coach, RACE, Kildare
 
Administration Award
Dorothy Fleming, Racing Secretary, Ken Condon Racing, Kildare
 
Newcomer Award
Cheryl McClean, Exercise Rider & Groom, Willie McCreery’s, Kildare
 
Horse Care Award
Audrey O’Neill, Groom, John Oxx’s, Kildare
 
In The Saddle Award
David Roche, Head Lad, Henry De Bromhead’s, Waterford
 
Leadership Award (Stud Employees)
Tony O’Meara, Stallion Manager, Coolmore, Tipperary

Leadership Award (Stable Employees)
Emma Connolly, Travelling Head Lass & Assistant Trainer, Noel Meade’s, Meath
 
Dedication to Racing and Breeding Award
Robert Gallagher, Head man, Michael Halford’s, Kildare

Racecourse Award
Gowran Park