The official website of the Irish Harness Racing Association

IHRA Breeding Initiatives

As you might be aware the IHRA have embarked on an ambitious breeding plan over the next ten years as part of their strategy to grow the industry. This plan started last year with the breeding of 40 Trotting Mares in France and resulting foals due over the next couple of months.

As part of the initial breeding initiative we advised breeders that there will be a breeding premium of 10% paid on these foals earning from 2020 onwards. This is payable to the breeder throughout the horses racing career.
This means if a horse wins €1,000 the registered breeder at the time of foaling will receive €100 and continues until the horse retires from racing.

Further on from that the IHRA want to introduce a covering subsidy for covering a French Mare to an Irish based French stallion.
A grant/subsidy of 20% of the cost of stallion fee is being introduced and applies to 2017 coverings, to be paid within 30 days of live foal or 30 days after notification of live foal. Available to all owners of French Mares who cover to French Stallions standing in Ireland.

Due to recent enquiries the IHRA in conjunction with Letrot are organising a sale for broodmares who are in foal and are due to foal in 2017 which will also help increase our Irish bred horses available to race in 2020. The cost of these Mares will be approx €4,700 and include the 2016 stallion fee, vat, transport and associated costs while the Mare is in France. We envisage these Mares arriving back in Ireland in late February.
The IHRA plan to introduce a more extensive plan for the Breeding Industry in Ireland that will take into account all breeding activity being carried out in middle of 2017.
Again the Board of the IHRA wish to thank all its members for their enthusiasm and engagement in our pursuit in growing our industry.