Academy Hurdle races: 'It seems like the sole purpose of it is to sell horses' Academy Hurdle races are a new series of National Hunt hurdle races in Ireland aimed specifically at three-year-old jump horses that haven’t previously raced on the Flat or under National Hunt rules (other than in these specific races). They first began in October 2025 and are designed to give these young horses a gentler, structured introduction to racing over obstacles before they progress to more competitive bumpers or maiden hurdle races. The idea behind the series is to encourage earlier training and racing of young jumpers without rushing them into higher-pressure races straight away, which can be demanding both physically and mentally. Academy Hurdle races are set over distances around two miles with an emphasis on giving the horses plenty of jumping experience, and winners still retain eligibility to compete in regular novice hurdles and bumpers afterwards. Mixed feelings There are also incentives for owners and breeders connected to these races. Many Academy Hurdles carry sales vouchers and bonus schemes - particularly for Irish-bred fillies - to encourage participation and help support the broader market for young National Hunt horses. These incentives are intended to make the series attractive for owners and help boost early bloodstock activity. The concept has drawn mixed reactions in the industry. Supporters see it as a progressive step to help develop National Hunt stock earlier and broaden the base of jump horses coming through, while some trainers and commentators have voiced concerns that the series might dilute traditional racing pathways, or be perceived as primarily a sales and incentive tool if not carefully managed. Speaking on this week’s irishracing.com’s Irish Angle Emma Nagle shares her thoughts: “To be honest, I don’t see the point in the fact that you can win a hurdle and then go back and win a maiden hurdle, or you can go back and win a bumper - you’re a winner or you’re not. “Why do you get two bites at the cherry? I’m not against getting National Hunt horses started younger - I think that part of it is perfectly fine. “But the fact that you’re a winner but you’re not, makes it seem like the sole purpose of it is to sell horses. “You can sell them on to a bigger trainer and they can go back and win their maiden hurdle again.” Point-to-Point Academy Hurdles don’t replace point-to-point racing, but they do create a bit of a shift in the landscape for young jump horses, and some people see them as potentially drawing entries away from point-to-points. Point-to-points are traditionally the first step for young National Hunt horses, giving them experience over fences in an amateur, low-pressure environment. They’re especially important for Irish-bred horses and, for smaller yards, they provide an accessible way to bring horses into racing. Academy Hurdles, by contrast, are professional racecourse events with prize money, sales bonuses, and early exposure to track conditions, which can make them more attractive for owners with horses ready to step up from the schooling stage. So while Academy Hurdles offer a more structured, financially-incentivized alternative, they don’t outright remove the need or appeal of point-to-points. In fact, many horses still use point-to-points as a preparatory step before racing on the track. The main concern from the point-to-point community is that top prospects might bypass traditional amateur races, potentially reducing entry numbers or quality at certain meetings. However, the two systems can coexist if trainers balance development pathways - using Academy Hurdles for faster-track horses and point-to-points for those who need slower, foundational experience. Paddy Flood also commented on the current structure: “I’d nearly rather see younger horses going around in a hurdle race than slogging it out in a three-mile point-to-point. That’s just my opinion. “Now, I’m not a point-to-point man, so I probably haven’t asked many of those guys their opinions, but they definitely need to be listened to.”
