Irish Racehorse Trainers Association pushing for return to 24-hour declarations

Irish racing should return to 24-hour declarations for runners in order to reduce costs for owners, according to the body representing the country's trainers.

Initially introduced for all meetings in Ireland in order to facilitate health screening protocols when the sport resumed in June last year, 48-hour declarations have been blamed as a significant factor in non-runners increasing from 1,951 in 2019 to 2,413 in 2020.

The move has largely been welcomed by punters and Irish Jockeys Association secretary Andrew Coonan, who says riders have been helped by the additional day to make their required weights, but the trainers' group is eager to see a return to the former declaration procedures.

"We've gone back to HRI and sought the return of 24-hour declarations because we feel we're making unnecessary entries on behalf of our owners," Michael Grassick, chief executive of the Irish Racehorse Trainers Association told the Racing Post on Monday.

Michael Grassick: 'The closer we declare to race time, the more information we have regarding the ground'Credit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

"It's costing them and we don't have all the information available to us when we're making race decisions."

He added: "The closer we declare to race time, the more information we have regarding the ground. You could waste a declaration if the weather doesn't come as forecast."

When asked whether a reduction in ground-related withdrawal fines could ease the issue, Grassick said: "I've just been told from [IHRB chief executive] Denis Egan that if a horse is at a race meeting and you decide not to run him on account of the ground, there is now no fine.

"It's come in now – it's something we've been fighting for over years – and I'd like to thank Denis."

Grassick suggested the entry procedures would have to change if the current declaration system was to stay in place.

Jockeys: extra time afforded by 48-hour declarations has been welcomedCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Standard entries are not taken on a Friday in Ireland, with possible runners for Friday meetings instead gathered on the Monday of any given week.

If a trainer is considering either a Wednesday or Friday race for their horse, the current 48-hour declarations system means they must declare for Wednesday by 10am on Monday. Meanwhile, the possible field for the Friday race wouldn't be available until after entries close at 12pm on Monday.

Grassick said: "If 48-hour declarations were to stay, which we are against, then entries would have to close on a Friday [for the following Friday]. It would be one headache solved, but it wouldn't solve everything and we just feel we're making unnecessary entries for owners."

Horse Racing Ireland director of racing Jason Morris told the Racing Post that the issue is set to be discussed at next Monday's HRI board meeting. He said a review of the entry structure could take place if 48-hour declarations are retained permanently.

Grassick added: "We also need to get the information on entries more quickly. Even on a Monday when entries are made, when you're in the low-grade handicaps you might not get some of the information around balloting until the next day.

"You need to know whether you're getting in or might have to make more entries."

Read more:

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