Worrying fall in trainer numbers

Irish Turf Club chief executive Denis Egan has described the continuing fall in the number of trainers in Ireland as "the most worrying statistic" following the announcement of the Integrity Racing Statistics for 2014.

Charlie Swan and Joanna Morgan have recently announced their retirement from the training ranks and Egan admits the decline in the amount of licences being issued is a major concern to the Irish racing industry.

Egan said: "The plight of the trainers has been highlighted in recent weeks with two high-profile trainers deciding not to renew their licences.

"This is not surprising if you look at the reductions in the figures for horses-in-training and owners and unless this trend is reversed, the situation will get worse for trainers before it gets better.

"Since 2008 the average number of horses in training has fallen by 38.7% and continued to fall in 2014. However, the total number of trainers' licences has only fallen by 17.7% in the same period.

"The number of owners is also falling and is 34% lower than the peak in 2008. While there have always been ups and downs in the past 20 years, the average number of horses in training and owners in 2014 were at similar levels to those seen in the mid-1990s."

The published statistics also revealed careless riding inquiries also increased in 2014, as did whip inquiries.

A total of 179 riders were drug tested and three samples were confirmed as positive, while 822 riders were breath tested, with all those results negative.

Of the 3.085 horses that were tested for prohibited substances just two returned positive results.

There was an increase in the number of licences issued to apprentice riders, but the amount of qualified riders' permits issued fell.

Egan said: "It is disappointing that there has been an increase in the number of careless riding enquiries after the 46% drop in 2013. However, the figures are still 37% lower than the 2012 peak.

"The number of whip inquiries has also increased but is still considerably lower than the total prior to the new whip Rules being introduced during 2012."