Irish Thoroughbred Breeders' Association

The Irish Thoroughbred Breeders' Association (ITBA)'s Flat Seminar, The Distance Debate, was held in conjunction with the Derby Festival at the Curragh on June 30. The seminar featured a panel of top experts--Kevin Blake, Stuart Boman, Ado McGuinness, Jason Morris and John Oxx, with ITBA Chairman Cathy Grassick taking on hosting duties. The discussion--Sprinters, Stayers and Everything in Between--analyzed breeding for different distances to suit market demands, as well as changes in trends over the past number of years and what the future might look like. The panel's lively discussion...

Featuring panelists Kevin Blake, Stuart Boman, Ado McGuinness, Jason Morris, and John Oxx and hosted by Sally Ann Grassick, the Irish Thoroughbred Breeders' Association Flat Seminar will be held on Friday, June 30. Set for the Curragh Racecourse, the seminar will begin at 2:30 p.m. To register, please email [email protected]. The event is free to attend for ITBA, AIRO, and IRTA members, please quote your membership number or organisation when registering. For non-members who wish to attend there is a €15 entrance fee which includes raceday admission.

The Irish Thoroughbred Breeders' Association Flat Seminar: 'Sprinters, Stayers & Everything In Between' is scheduled for the Curragh at 2:30 p.m. on Friday, June 30. A panel of speakers consisting of Kevin Blake, Stuart Boman, Ado McGuinness, Jason Morris and John Oxx are slated to be in attendance, and the event will be hosted by Sally Ann Grassick. The seminar will cover a variety of challenges and opportunities around the Flat breeding and racing sector, the current status of Irish Flat breeding and racing and look at the changes in...

A National Hunt Panel Discussion was held by the Irish Thoroughbred Breeders' Association Next Generation this week at Tattersalls Ireland following the inspection day of the May Store Sale. Richard Pugh was master of ceremonies, with an expert panel of Highflyer Bloodstock's Tessa Greatrex, Sluggara Farm consignor and veterinarian Walter Conners, Cobajay Stables' Aidan Fitzgerald and bloodstock agent Tom Malone on hand to share their views. Among the topics discussed were how they got into racing, selection at sales, what to forgive in a pedigree and confirmation, and recent prevalence...

In an industry where the hours and expectations fall far outside of the typical 40-hour work week, peers are also your biggest competitors, and the fine line of balance between work and life can be nonexistent, the struggle with mental health is prevalent among the Thoroughbred industry's participants. However, growth of understanding through research, increased discussion and an expanded network of resources is hoping to change all of that, as shared in the Irish Thoroughbred Breeders' Association (ITBA)'s Mental Fitness and Resilience in the Thoroughbred Industry online seminar, held Wednesday...

The Irish Thoroughbred Breeders' Association (ITBA) National Breeding & Racing Awards 2022 will be held on Saturday, Jan. 28. The annual awards recognise the success of Irish-bred horses, both Flat and National Hunt in 2022, as well as those who have made a lifelong contribution to the Irish Thoroughbred breeding industry. The ceremony will be streamed live from 10 p.m. on the ITBA's website.

The 2023 Education Programme, featuring Ask The Experts, Summer Series, Preparation Series, and Autumn/Winter Series, was unveiled by the Irish Thoroughbred Breeders' Association (ITBA) on Friday. Workshops will be either QQI or Veterinary Council of Ireland accredited wherever possible. In addition, most events will offer hybrid formatting, taking place at the ITBA headquarters or regionally, as well as virtually. Marking the first Education Programme of 2023 is a Breeding Preparation Workshop slated for Tuesday, Jan. 10. Some of the topics and speakers are: Assisting mares during foaling: Olive O'Connor, respected...

Una Tormey has been appointed the new Chief Executive of the Irish Thoroughbred Breeders' Association (ITBA). Tormey began her new role on Dec. 1. She joined the ITBA as a membership coordinator two years ago, and rose to the role of operations manager. Tormey also earned additional experience working with previous Chief Executive Shane O'Dwyer. Tormey, who will be supported by Membership Coordinator Danielle Deveney and Education Coordinator Hannah Marks, said, "I am really looking forward to working with Irish Breeders and with the members of the ITBA Council. The...

The first 2022 Autumn/Winter Veterinary Series begins on Dec. 12, the Irish Thoroughbred Breeders' Association (ITBA) announced on Tuesday. Tea and coffee will be offered at 6:15 p.m., with the event starting at 6:45 p.m. at the ITBA headquarters in Kill. The seminar will be live streamed for those who cannot attend in person and is also available to EFTBA members. Dr. Emma Adam from the Gluck Equine Research Center will be the guest speaker on novel rotavirus in Kentucky, while Sharon O'Regan will discuss the Weatherbys ePassport functionality and...

Ahead of the yearling sales season, guidelines for the sale of Thoroughbred breeding and young stock were published through a partnership between the Thoroughbred Breeders' Association (TBA) and the Irish Thoroughbred Breeders' Association (ITBA). These guidelines were created following consultation with industry participants and the support of both Tattersalls and Goffs. Available online, the aim is to help new industry participants navigate the sales preparation and selling processes for optimum equine health and welfare, while also providing transparency on Thoroughbred care before, during and after sales. Ted Voute, Chairman of...

The 2022 Irish Thoroughbred Breeders' Association Educational programme is being finalised following the confirmation that Ireland's Department of Agriculture will pledge to support and co-fund the initiative. The programme will run from May to December. The ITBA will partner with the Irish Equine Centre, HRI's Equuip and Weatherbys, among others, to oversee the programme. In addition, the ITBA will work closely with industry experts as well as industry stakeholders to deliver a wide and diverse programme of topics through the four pillars of its educational programme: Ask The Experts, Summer...

The challenges and opportunities facing the Irish breeding and racing sector took centre stage at the ITBA National Hunt Seminar on Apr. 4. Insights and a balanced debate on the current state of the sector were held between panelists Frank Motherway, Jane Mangan, Kevin Blake, Richard Pugh, Ruby Walsh and MC David Jennings. Other key talking points included breeders premiums/incentives, preparing our stock younger, French-breds and the current race programme. To view the seminar, please click here.