ITBA

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 hmarks@itba.ie. 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...

The 2023 Irish Thoroughbred Breeders' Association 2023 Summer Series will launch in June, the ITBA announced on Monday. Set to take place at ITBA headquarters in Kill, County Kildare, the series will include a comprehensive group of seminars focused on stud farm and bloodstock administration, and building your bloodstock business. The ITBA has collaborated the year with Aoife Hanratty's PA Solutions and business growth advisors, Gateway Consultants to help deliver this comprehensive content. The ITBA Summer Series Schedule is as follows: • June 6: Stud Farm Administration from 2-4:30 p.m.,...

Ballylinch Stud's John O'Connor has been named the new Chairman of the European Breeders' Fund. He replaces Philip Freedman, who served two terms in that role. O'Connor, who has also been Chairman of the Irish EBF and ITBA in the past, said, "I am delighted to take on the Chairmanship of the EBF in its 40th year. The EBF plays a significant role in supporting the racing industry at many levels. Due to the calibre of stallions that now stand in Europe and through the commitment of stallion farms large...

Goffs and Tattersalls Ireland have committed support of €50,000 each over the next three years toward the Irish Thoroughbred Breeders' Association's National Hunt Fillies Bonus Scheme, the ITBA announced. The support is in addition to the €100,000 from Horse Racing Ireland through the Foal Levy. Established in 2013, the scheme's aim was to enhance the prices of fillies at store sales and encourage breeders to return their fillies in training. The Weatherbys ITBA NH Fillies Bonus scheme pays out €5,000 to any eligible filly who wins their mares-only maiden bumper,...

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 Breeding Season Preparation Workshop, which was attended by over 150, was held by the Irish Thoroughbred Breeders' Association (ITBA) this week. The event brought together a panel of industry experts that addressed relevant issues with the aim in making the coming season as successful as possible. Topics included, 'Postnatal Care' by Andrea Ryan, Veterinary Surgeon with Kilcash Equine Clinic; and 'Assisting During Foaling' by Olive O'Connor, consignor and breeder. Attendees also heard from Lorraine Fradl, Connolly's Red Mills, on 'Nutrition for Mares & Foals.' Finally, Micheal Orlandi of Starfield...

It is commonly known as the junior wing of the Irish Thoroughbred Breeders Association, aimed at educating students and aspiring breeders, and its chairperson Orla Donworth is predicting big things for the ITBA Next Generation in 2023.  Donworth is a digital marketing executive at Goffs who has been employed in the industry for 10 years and outlined plans for the ITBA Next Generation to become the go-to place for the future leaders of the industry to gain education and support. Fellow Goffs employee Conor Wixted holds the position as the...

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...