Hackett wins inaugural GAIN The Advantage Series

Toomevara trainer Ray Hackett is the winner of the inaugural GAIN The Advantage Series, a Flat season-long initiative, winning €5,000 of GAIN Equine Nutrition products.

The series began with two divisions of the GAIN The Advantage Series Handicap at Leopardstown in April, taking in races at Cork, Navan, Ballinrobe, Fairyhouse, Tipperary and The Curragh before concluding at Naas yesterday.

Hackett saddled the winners of three races in the series, which provided an increase of 40 per cent in prize money for connections. Lord McZie gave Conor Clarke the first winner of his career when scoring at Navan in May and the Toomevara apprentice was also on-board Rock On Seamie, the winner of the second division of the GAIN The Advantage Series Handicap at Ballinrobe the following month.

Co Limerick amateur rider Aine O'Connor partnered the Hackett-trained Sequoiaspirit to win the GAIN The Advantage Series Ladies Handicap at Tipperary in August. Sequoiaspirit managed fourth place at the finale at Naas and the trainer ended the series with a total of 39 points, 18 clear of Joseph G Murphy in second place with 21 points while third place was shared by Eoin Doyle, Tony Martin, Andy Oliver, and John Feane on 12 points.

The series also recognised all connections of the horse - the winning breeders were entered into a draw to win a tonne of GAIN Equine Nutrition products and Eamonn Phelan and Reuben Solomon, breeder of Insignia Of Rank, the winner of the Naas Racecourse leg of the series were the lucky winners. In addition, the 10 breeders received a frame photograph of their winning horse.

Nessa O’Brien, a groom with trainer Ray Hackett, was the winner of the stable staff competition and walked away with a three-night luxury stay in The Alex Hotel in Dublin, kindly supported by the O’Callaghan Collection.

Joanne Hurley, GAIN Equine Nutrition, Irish Country Manager, said: “The series has been a phenomenal success and we are delighted with the feedback that it has received. The aim of the series was to support trainers across the country over the Flat season with a variety of different race conditions.

"It’s hugely important to us that we recognise all stakeholders within the industry, and I am delighted for the overall winners of the breeder and stable staff prizes.

"The trainers' table incentivised the series and Ray Hackett has succeeded in winning €5,000 of GAIN Equine Nutrition products. I would like to thank everyone who participated in the series along with the racecourses and Horse Racing Ireland for their support throughout the season.”

Paul Dermody, CEO HRI Racecourses, said: “Our partnership with GAIN Equine Nutrition demonstrates how working with our commercial partners and stakeholders can have a real positive impact on our industry. The recognition of all parties from breeder to owner, stable staff to trainer highlights the importance of every role in our industry and we are delighted to support this valuable initiative.”

Ray Hackett, overall series winning trainer, said: “We targeted the GAIN The Advantage Series from the start; the points system, the prize-money, everything about it gives the smaller trainer a chance to compete at a really good level for really good prize money. It’s nice for the yard, it’s given the yard a real buzz, we have thoroughly enjoyed it.”