Innovation, Brexit Hot Topics at ITBA Expo

The Irish Thoroughbred Breeders' Association Expo 2018 took place at Goffs sales complex in County Kildare on Friday and Saturday. Numerous businesses and industry figures were present at what is effectively a trade fair for the Thoroughbred industry in Ireland, with trade stands and promotional presentations being complemented by events including seminars and a Dragons' Den-style contest for businesses in the sector.

Innovation, collaboration, and positivity were watchwords across the two days, but serious matters such as Brexit, racecourse attendance and funding concerns provided some balance to an otherwise optimistic and future-focused event.

ITBA chief executive Shane O'Dwyer reflected on the two days, saying, “We put together a programme of events for the Thoroughbred industry and we're certainly pleased with the way things went. We have a great industry with great potential and we have to harness that potential. One of my aims was, rather than just have a talking shop, let's come up with action points. We came up with them and now it's up to us to implement.”

Future Proofed…

Friday afternoon was animated by a lively ITBA Next Generation seminar centering on young people in racing. Compered by David Jennings, Deputy Editor of the Irish Racing Post, the seminar channeled the thoughts of racing figures who have enjoyed success at a young age. Irish National Stud CEO Cathal Beale, trainer Joseph O'Brien, journalist Kevin Blake, bloodstock figure Amy Marnane, jockey Lisa O'Neill, and racing expert Paddy Roche are short of neither acumen nor opinion and their interactions also brought regular laughs from the healthy crowd.

Though the topics of how to engage young people and recruit younger owners may be well worn at this stage, the debate did branch out into less familiar territory and the precocious panel put forward readily implementable ideas that could have a strong positive impact on the sport.

To address the issues of professional accessibility and career development in the sport, Beale suggested racing apprenticeships. “A lot is being done to encourage graduates to work in the sport, but we need to focus on people who don't go to college. Apprenticeships could provide the experience and accreditation required to make racing a trade.”

In relation to the issue of unsatisfactory racecourse attendances, Kevin Blake made the valid point that racing should not always focus on recruiting new, younger racegoers, but rather treat those already engaged better, for example through a loyalty scheme. “We are wasting resources on the wrong demographic. Instead of looking at people that might go racing once a year, we should reward those who shell out for 12 or 15 meetings a year. I can't figure out why a loyalty scheme can't be put in place to offer free tickets or reductions.”

Irish Equine Centre an Unsung Hero…

Alongside presentations and seminars addressing broader issues within racing, the Expo also offered much of interest in specialised and technical areas. The highlight was Friday evening's intervention by the Irish Equine Centre. Though relatively unknown to many in the racing world, the IEC provides laboratory services for the diagnosis, management, and prevention of equine diseases. These services protect the wellbeing of Ireland's horse population and therefore underpin the ongoing success and development of racing.

Professor Anne Cullinane, Head of Virology at the IEC, sought to highlight the critical role of the Centre in Irish racing. She also underlined the fact that only a lack of financial backing prevents it from extending its services and gaining the accreditation required in order to process the many thousands of equine samples taken within racing in Ireland, which are currently sent abroad. “Low disease status is critical to the wellbeing of the industry as a whole and needs to be maintained. Greater funding could be transformational for us. We want to do more and Irish racing deserves a facility on par with the animals produced here.”

Well-known British national hunt trainer Nicky Henderson was also on the panel and, having employed the services of the IEC on many occasions over a 15-year period, he advocated increased support and development for this indispensable yet unsung service.

What If?

The headline seminar of the Expo, entitled 'What if? A Vision for 2028', brought together leading figures in world racing for a far-reaching discussion of some of the key issues facing the racing sector today and envisioning how the sport might look 10 years from now. The distinguished panel featured Joe Osborne of Godolphin, trainer Jessica Harrington, leading bloodstock figure Joe Foley, Gigginstown Stud manager Eddie O'Leary and Louis Romanet, Chairman of the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities. Irish Field Editor Leo Powell was Master of Ceremonies.

The seminar opened with an address from Mairead McGuinness, who is vice-president of the European Parliament and MEP for the Ireland East region, where many of Ireland's most active equine businesses are based. McGuinness focused on the pressing topic of Brexit and the impact it could have on the Irish equine industry. Not seeking to sugarcoat matters, she stated, “There is no good outcome for Ireland. I don't see us as a victim of the UK's decision, but it is true that Brexit will have far less impact elsewhere in Europe. In truth, we'd rather all stay as we are, but this is happening and sectoral issues are only now starting to be focused on.” The movement of horses and people, the availability of veterinary medicines, and possible tariffs introduced by the UK were all raised as potential negatives for the Irish racing world and, for the moment, there is little sign of any solution or concession being offered on these matters. O'Leary voiced hope for a second Brexit referendum, as the loss of easy access to the UK market would be 'catastrophic' for Irish breeders.

In relation to funding and prize money, Romanet offered a telling outside perspective, hailing as he does from the generously funded French jurisdiction. “I cannot be pessimistic when I see the passion and quality in the industry in Ireland, but the sport needs investment. You are now in a better place and producing more stock, but then you need to have more prize money at the middle and lower end. Then you will have more races and more betting and a better return via tax.”

Many in Irish racing have long supported an increase in betting tax, so as to provide greater funding for the sport. Romanet described Ireland's current 1% rate as 'ridiculous' and Eddie O'Leary is of the belief that the rate should be raised to 5% minimum. Joe Foley made the case that increasing betting tax would allow minimum prize money to be raised to a suggested figure of €15,000 and that this could, in his view, help increase ownership by over 50%.

Joe Osborne summed up many in Irish racing's feelings towards the government in stating that, “They need to understand that this is a sport and the money put in is an investment. Horse racing is important both economically and as part of our nation's social fabric. If you stand still you are losing and at the moment we are guessing at the funding we are going to get.”

So the headline seminar was hard-hitting and serious, but did serve to underline the quality of thought being put into some of the sport's most pressing issues and the fact that even seemingly opposed commercial entities can work together for a wider good when required. The active engagement and support of Mairead McGuinness will also provide some sense of security to all those across the Irish industry, helping their voice be heard.

Dragons' Den…

On Saturday, the main auditorium hosted an entertaining racing-centred version of the popular television programme Dragons' Den. Six small and medium enterprises pitched to a five-strong group of 'Dragons' in the hope of securing some of the €5,000 prize fund on offer.

In his introduction, well-known entrepreneur and business writer Sean Gallagher commented that, “SMEs are the lifeblood of the economy and create jobs that feed into the tax system so as to support broader infrastructure programmes. Therefore the success of the projects we are hearing from today can have a positive impact not only in the racing world, but on Irish society as a whole.”

Two businesses faced off in three categories: 'Innovation', 'Established Business', and 'Start-Up', with €1,000 being up for grabs in each; €2,000 would also be awarded to the overall winner. 'Equine MediRecord' landed the overall prize for their highly practical mobile application, which removes the need for cumbersome paper medical records for horses and other animals through digitisation. Approved by the racing authorities of both Britain and Ireland, it is now available to download and could make waves internationally in years to come.

Turbulent Times…

Those who were present across the two days of the ITBA Expo 2018 may have left with conflicting feelings. To wander the expo marquee, listen to the sparky contributions made during the ITBA Next Generation seminar or witness the innovative presentations made during the Dragons' Den section, one could easily be convinced that Irish racing has never been in a better position, with bright young minds and a host of strong established businesses dedicating themselves to ensuring a positive future for the sport.

Friday evening's Brexit-centered debate did not shy away from the critical threat that Britain's leaving the European Union could pose to the Irish Thoroughbred industry, however, and it is sad to think that all the work being done by the wide-ranging entities represented at the Expo could be put at risk by broader political concerns in which the equine industry has only limited say.

When subject to such threatening over-arching forces, those within any sector have little choice but to work for its betterment and seek to bolster its strength in order to withstand potentially turbulent coming times. Judging by the ITBA Expo 2018, Irish racing holds many attributes and a shared sense of purpose is clearly one. Let us hope that by the time the next Expo rolls around, there will be greater clarity as to Ireland's relationship with the UK and therefore a more stable environment in which the ITBA and the many industry players united at Expo 2018 can continue to build for the future.