Foran Equine and Irish European Breeders’ Fund Join Forces to Sponsor Auction Series
March 1, 2017 | Jackie Donohoe
Foran Equine Irish EBF Auction Series Final Now Worth €120,000
20 Qualifiers all Worth a Minimum of €20,000
The Irish European Breeders’ Fund today announced Foran Equine as sponsor of the Foran Equine Irish EBF Auction Series. The three year deal will significantly boost the prize-money and establish the series as a target for purchasers of yearlings and 2yos at public auction.
Now in its third year the Irish EBF Auction Series for 2yos will comprise of 21 races across 15 racecourses with a total prize-fund of €573,000, including the final to be held at Naas Racecourse in October, worth €120,000, up from €100,000 in 2016.
Each of the 20 qualifying races will have a minimum prize-fund of €20,000 as well as the added benefit of being Plus 10 registered, whereby qualified winners will be eligible for a bonus of €12,500 under the Plus 10 Scheme. The first race will take place at Cork racecourse on Saturday 6th May.
The Foran Equine Irish EBF Auction Series is designed to create wide-scale opportunities for horses purchased as a yearling or a 2yo at public auction for €72,000 or less, with allowances for fillies and horses purchased at a lower auction price. The final is open to horses which have run in one of the qualifying races and which are EBF eligible.
Gareth Connolly, Sales and Marketing Director, Foran Equine said; “Foran Equine is delighted to be joining forces with the Irish European Breeders’ Fund to sponsor this exciting, valuable series for the next three years. Owners, trainers and breeders, who are the backbone of this industry, are also our customers. This series allows us, in conjunction with the Irish EBF and Horse Racing Ireland, to increase the value of 21 races across the country, demonstrating our continued commitment to the Irish racing industry.”
John O’Connor, Chairman, Irish European Breeders’ Fund, said; “The 2yo Auction Series was created in 2015 by HRI and the Irish EBF, with the long term goal to stimulate the auction market and to support this vital sector of the Flat breeding industry. We strongly believe in the series and the Governors of the Irish EBF wholeheartedly welcome Foran Equine as our partner for the next three years. The generous sponsorship from Foran Equine means the winner of the Final will earn €72,000 (out of a total €120,000 prize-fund) which will cover its sale price as this is the cut off point for horses to be eligible to participate.”
Jason Morris, Director of Racing, Horse Racing Ireland, said; “We are extremely grateful to Foran Equine for agreeing to sponsor this series in partnership with the Irish European Breeders’ Fund. HRI has increased the number of 2yo auction races in recent years to incentivise Irish owners and trainers to purchase yearlings, and we intend to progressively increase the number of such races, and therefore the size of this Series, in the years ahead. This new Series will present a broad range of high value opportunities for horses at the lower to medium end of the market. The winning horse will receive at least €12,500 for winning any qualifier, with this figure being doubled for any Plus 10 eligible winners.”
Willie McCreery, said; “As a trainer I welcome the investment from Foran Equine and the Irish EBF into this series. In an increasingly competitive market this series creates a clear proposition for a number of my 2yos to compete for significant prize-money. This is good news for my owners who continue to invest in my team. I am looking forward to targeting the Foran Equine Irish EBF Series this season and will have one eye on the 2018 series when attending the yearling sales in the autumn.”
