Racing stars out in force at Treo Eile Christmas show Top trainers and jockeys from both Flat and National Hunt spheres will be out in force for the Treo Eile Christmas show at Emerald Equestrian Centre near Enfield on Thursday December 11. Willie Mullins, Gavin Cromwell, Henry de Bromhead, Gordon Elliott and Ger Lyons’ Glenburnie Racing are among the confirmed team captains, while jockeys Paul Townend, Jack Kennedy, Patrick Mullins, Jody Townend, Mark Walsh, Colin Keane, Nicola Burns, Robbie Power and Kevin Manning will also be taking part. The HRI Treo Eile Thoroughbred Classic is the feature class on the night and is a team competition to showcase the very best of Ireland's retrained racehorses. Teams of four will compete in a timed competition. Each team will have a professional or amateur jockey, who will all ride former racehorses. The fourth team member will be a talented pony rider. Each rider will jump a course of fences followed by a jump-off to decide the winners of the coveted Horse Racing Ireland perpetual trophy. Racing TV’s Kevin O’Ryan and Brendan McArdle of The Irish Field will act as masters of ceremonies when the Treo Eile Christmas show gets under way at 12 noon with two classes for thoroughbreds and a pony class for junior riders. Olympian Sam Watson will host the ‘Connolly’s RED MILLS Training your Thoroughbred’ clinic. Top racing names join team event Andrea Ryan, CEO of Treo Eile, said: “The Treo Eile Christmas Show encapsulates all the good work that is done in thoroughbred aftercare throughout the year and is a wonderful chance to celebrate Ireland's retrained racehorses. “We get huge support from both the racing and equestrian world for the show, and I would like to thank all the riders and horse owners who generously give their time, as well as the organising committee. I would also like to thank all the sponsors of the show who are always willing whenever we ask for support. This is my first time experiencing the Treo Eile Christmas Show and I truly cannot wait!” The Treo Eile Christmas show will be streamed live on Horse & Country TV. Tickets cost €15 per person, family tickets (two adults, two children) are €40 and a 10-ticket bundle is €100. Tickets can be purchased online at eventbrite.ie Treo Eile mission aids second careers Treo Eile (Irish for another direction) was founded in 2020 with the aims to assist breeders, owners, and trainers in transitioning both raced and unraced thoroughbreds to a second career. This is achieved through three main pillars: Connect: Owners, trainers, and breeders with a network of retainers, professionals and potential new owners who can directly help their horse make the transition to a new career. Support: these horses and riders in the next phase with a well-supported event programme aimed directly at the ex-racehorse. Promote: the versatility of the thoroughbred in its second career through social media, TV and newspaper articles highlighting their success. Treo Eile provides information that will provide help and assistance to people who are making decisions about the next step for their thoroughbred, whether it has raced or not. Treo Eile continues to develop a network of professionals who can educate and support those on their retraining journey, along with creating a well-managed and varied event programme to continue to provide opportunities for former racehorses.
