Irish EBF announced as headline sponsor of new Academy Hurdle Race Series
Tuesday, January 21, 2025
Irish EBF announced as headline sponsor of new Academy Hurdle Race Series. Photo: Patrick McCann/Racing Post
The Irish European Breeders’ Fund have today committed to be the flagship sponsor of the new National Hunt Academy Hurdle Race Series which will commence October 2025. The introduction of the series marks a progressive expansion and development of the NH programme with the aim to encourage NH horses to enter training earlier. This sponsorship reinforces the support the Irish European Breeders’ Fund have consistently given to Irish National Hunt racing, breeding and sales.
The races will be open to three-year-old horses who have not had any previous run on the Flat or under National Hunt, rules other than in Academy Hurdle races. The National Hunt Academy Hurdle races will have a focus on jumping, with racecourses and distances selected to maximise the optimum number of obstacles in each race.
This series of races are viewed as the initial starting point for Irish National Hunt horses on the track. Winners of these races will be qualified to run in bumpers and maiden hurdles in Ireland, the objective being to encourage young NH horses to enter training earlier but yet have access to a programme that does not require them to be rushed should they win a National Hunt Academy Hurdle race.
Other elements of the series to note is that each National Hunt Academy Hurdle run will be considered by the IHRB Handicapper in assessing a horse for a handicap rating; a number of these races will carry IRE Incentive-style vouchers for eligible winning and placed horses; and non-winners will remain eligible to be registered for a Hunter Certificate to run in point-to-points.
Joe Foley, Irish EBF Chairman, commented; “The Irish EBF Academy Hurdle Race Series is a progressive initiative for National Hunt racing and the Irish EBF are delighted to become overall sponsor. The series will offer an earlier shop window for stallion and mare owners and become a positive catalyst for National Hunt breeding and racing in Ireland. We look forward to the first races in October to see what talent will emerge from the three-year-old ranks.”
Jonathan Mullin, HRI Director of Racing, said; “There has been a very clear direction given to Horse Racing Ireland from the industry in relation to the issues being felt by Irish National Hunt breeders and we are delighted to be able to outline what will be on offer from October 2025, cognisant of the fact that a reasonable lead-in time is needed for people to adjust.”
The races will be open to three-year-old horses who have not had any previous run on the Flat or under National Hunt, rules other than in Academy Hurdle races. The National Hunt Academy Hurdle races will have a focus on jumping, with racecourses and distances selected to maximise the optimum number of obstacles in each race.
This series of races are viewed as the initial starting point for Irish National Hunt horses on the track. Winners of these races will be qualified to run in bumpers and maiden hurdles in Ireland, the objective being to encourage young NH horses to enter training earlier but yet have access to a programme that does not require them to be rushed should they win a National Hunt Academy Hurdle race.
Other elements of the series to note is that each National Hunt Academy Hurdle run will be considered by the IHRB Handicapper in assessing a horse for a handicap rating; a number of these races will carry IRE Incentive-style vouchers for eligible winning and placed horses; and non-winners will remain eligible to be registered for a Hunter Certificate to run in point-to-points.
Joe Foley, Irish EBF Chairman, commented; “The Irish EBF Academy Hurdle Race Series is a progressive initiative for National Hunt racing and the Irish EBF are delighted to become overall sponsor. The series will offer an earlier shop window for stallion and mare owners and become a positive catalyst for National Hunt breeding and racing in Ireland. We look forward to the first races in October to see what talent will emerge from the three-year-old ranks.”
Jonathan Mullin, HRI Director of Racing, said; “There has been a very clear direction given to Horse Racing Ireland from the industry in relation to the issues being felt by Irish National Hunt breeders and we are delighted to be able to outline what will be on offer from October 2025, cognisant of the fact that a reasonable lead-in time is needed for people to adjust.”
There has been a very clear direction given to Horse Racing Ireland from the industry in relation to the issues being felt by Irish National Hunt breeders and we are delighted to be able to outline what will be on offer from October 2025, cognisant of the fact that a reasonable lead-in time is needed for people to adjust.
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