Senator warns pony racing in Ireland will 'die out' without urgent support

Financial supports to safeguard the future of Irish pony racing have been called for in the country's senate, with Horse Racing Ireland and the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board said to be involved in talks with local pony racing authorities.

Senator Eugene Murphy, a member of the Seanad Eireann agricultural panel, raised the issue during a debate on Tuesday, stating his belief that the grassroots activity "will die out" if it is not funded, citing additional financial challenges created by Covid-19.

Pony racing meetings in Ireland were run through the work of voluntary committees, external sponsorship and concessions from groups involved on racedays, such as bookmakers and caterers, before the sport's shutdown in early 2020 due to the pandemic.

Jack Kennedy: recorded a remarkable 221 winners in the pony racing ranks, having started competing at the age of nineCredit: Tim Goode (Getty Images)

A breeding ground for some of racing's biggest names such as Rachael Blackmore and Barry Geraghty, pony racing is not centrally funded or recognised under the same regulatory umbrella as Irish point-to-pointing or racing under rules.

"This business is the essential foundation for all young jockeys to learn the skills and competencies to enable them to become top-class jockeys in Ireland and abroad," said Murphy, who stated the industry's case.

"For those people to get up and running and to re-establish themselves, they need funding now. They have very little money left in their accounts. Many of the people involved are using their own money to get much of the work done. There are huge costs involved with insurance and the [micro]chipping of animals."

He added: "This sport is really the foundation that opened up avenues for the likes of Rachael Blackmore, Barry Geraghty, Bryan Cooper, Nina Carberry and Katie Walsh. It goes on and on. Just look at the successes those people have had. Look at the pride they have brought to Ireland. They all started at those pony races up and down the country.

Rachael Blackmore: Grand National winner competed in pony races during her childhoodCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

"I believe it is vital that we as a government look at this issue and we try to organise a funding stream that will back this up. It does not just open up avenues for jockeys. It also opens up opportunities for owners of horses and for stable people to go on and make a good career.

"This is the rock on which our racing business is founded and we must support it. If we do not, then these volunteers will disappear and the ability of people to enjoy this outing will be gone."

Deputy Martin Heydon, minister of state at the department of agriculture, food and the marine [DAFM], noted that HRI has never provided funding to pony racing as the sport does not fall within its remit, with such meetings not recognised by the IHRB.

"The issue of pony racing was also discussed at a recent HRI board meeting, and HRI and the IHRB are due to meet with representatives of pony racing organisations again in the coming weeks," said Heydon.

"HRI has had a number of virtual meetings with representatives of various pony racing organising committees around the country in response to requests for a closer and more formal relationship than exists at present."

Heydon stated that such a relationship would involve recognition by the IHRB, including "some form of financial assistance through HRI".

He added: "The board of HRI has informed [DAFM] minister [Charlie McConalogue] that discussions on the matter will continue, but it must be stated that ultimately pony racing is outside HRI's remit, which is confined to activities on authorised racecourses. Any involvement will be limited to a discussion and advisory role only."

In his concluding remarks, Murphy said: "If we do not support the sport now it will die out. It will affect Irish racing hugely."

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