Deadline nears for ITBA National Hunt Fillies' Bonus Scheme

National Hunt breeders are being encouraged to sign up for the Weatherbys/Irish Thoroughbred Breeders' Association (ITBA) National Hunt Fillies' Bonus Scheme before the September 30 closing date.

Introduced in 2014, the scheme is designed to encourage owners and breeders to race their fillies and mares by offering a €5,000 bonus to the winning connections of fillies and mares who win their mares-only bumper, maiden hurdle and/or beginners chase in Ireland.

Regina Byrne of the ITBA said she is encouraged by the increased level of interest in the scheme and reminded breeders and owners to get involved in punctual fashion.

"This is a wonderful opportunity for owners to get some more well needed prize-money so, if you have a three-year-old filly or older that is unraced on the track, you should make sure you enter her for the scheme," she said. "You never know, you might join the elite band of triple bonus winners and win €15,000."

"This scheme is a tremendous incentive for National Hunt fillies," said owner-breeder Liam Gleeson of Ardmore Equine. "As an owner-breeder, I've won two bonuses with my homebred fillies Pride Of The Braid and Decision Time. I highly recommend the scheme, it's like winning two races in one. It makes huge financial sense to make your filly eligible."

To date, more than €850,000 has been paid out to winning owners and the introduction of the scheme has coincided with a ten per cent increase in the number of fillies and mares in training in Ireland.

There have been 171 bonus winners, 43 per cent of which have been owner-breeders. There are over 100 mares-only maiden races in Ireland each year, offering plenty of chances for owners to win one or more bonuses.

The application form can be downloaded from www.itba.ie, and returned before the closing date to ITBA, Greenhills, Kill, County Kildare or emailed to rbyrne@itba.ie.

If you liked this, then you might also like...

Magic Lily looks another classy juvenile for New Approach

Vegas Showgirl delivers an Exceed And Excel half-sister to Winx

Quiet Reflection to be offered at December Mares Sale