Irish EBF Auction Hurdle Series Announced - Designed for horses bought at National Hunt Auctions for 45,000 Euros or less Following on from the success of the Foran Equine/Irish EBF Auction Series on the Flat, the Irish EBF have announced a parallel series for the National Hunt sector. The Irish EBF Auction Hurdle Series will consist of 14 maiden and novice hurdle races from September 2018 until April 2019, each worth a minimum of 20,000 Euros, with a final in April worth 75,000 Euros. Entry into the valuable final will be limited to horses which have run in one of the previous races in the series. The conditions will specify that all horses must be by an EBF registered stallion and bought as an unraced three or four year old at a recognised National Hunt Store sale for 45,000 Euros or less, with weight allowances depending on purchase price. Speaking about the announcement, John O'Connor, Chairman, Irish EBF, said: "Horse Racing Ireland and the Irish EBF designed this new series with the smaller trainer and owner in mind. This series will create a number of valuable opportunities where horses in this price range can compete on a level playing field . Based on initial feedback, we anticipate the new series will be very well received and our goal is to establish this as a permanent fixture on the National Hunt scene." Tony Mullins, trainer, commented: "This will be a super series and with big prizemoney on offer in each qualifier and in the final, I can see this being well supported. It will give me and my owners a focus for the sales this year, knowing the series is there as a target." Denis Hogan, trainer and jockey, said: "It is a fantastic opportunity for a trainer like myself to help recruit and retain owners in the yard and give them a fair chance to win a valuable race. The percentage of horses available at the sales for this money is vast and it will be great to purchase at this level with a goal in mind." Further information is available from Nessa Joyce, Manager, Irish European Breeders' Fund, Greenhills, Kill, Naas, County Kildare W91 FY62 Mobile: 353 85 7590970 E-mail info@irishebf.ie Twitter and Facebook: @IrishEBF www.ebfstallions.com
