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"
Welcome to Ireland, an island
renowned for its
unique and special affinity
to the horse "
Its
lush green pastures and
rolling hills have nurtured
and trained some of the
greatest racehorses ever
to grace a race track. Traditional
Irish horsemanship skills,
passed down from generation
to generation are a much
sought after and valued
commodity worldwide.
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The
Irish people love their horses
and nearly every community
in Ireland has strong social
and economic links with equine
pursuits. A special bond and
understanding of the horse
is nurtured from an early
age predominantly in rural
areas where people have grown
up on the land and have extensive
knowledge and appreciation
of animal husbandry. |
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The
horse industry in Ireland has 3 main sectors
racing, breeding and equestrian sport. From
these 3 main sectors there are many ancillary
bodies: Racecourses (27), Racehorse trainers
(441), Stablestaff (3086), Jockeys (939),
Stud farms (153), Sales companies (3), Showjumping/eventing
riding centres & clubs (480), Polo clubs
(9), Polo Crosse (8), Hunts and point to
points (88), Master farriers (90), Feed
companies (3) and Veterinary hospitals (5).
(Based on 2005 figures.) |
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Ireland
is home to steeplechase racing, jump or
National Hunt racing as it is officially
called today. It is the racing of horses
over jumps called fences or hurdles, ranging
in distance form a minimum of 2miles (3200m)
up to a maximum of 4½miles (7200m).
The worlds first ever steeplechase was
recorded in County Limerick, Ireland in
1752. It was a race over natural terrain
of 4½miles between two men, a Mr.
Blake and a Mr. O’Calloghan. It
started at Buttevant church and finished
at St. Leger’s steeple on St. Mary’s
church in Doneraile, hence the name “Steeplechase”.
In
1790, the Irish Turf Club was established
to regulate and license horseracing in
Ireland, both over jumps (National Hunt)
and without jumps (Flat Racing).
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Due
to the seasonal weather changes in Ireland,
National Hunt racing is run predominantly
in the wet winter and spring months. A more
mature and stronger horse (aged 4 &
upwards) with an emphasis on stamina rather
than speed is used to race over jumps during
the National Hunt season in Ireland. Ireland
has produced and trained many great National
Hunt horses including the legendary triple
Gold Cup winner Arkle, the triple Champion
Hurdle winners Hatton’s Grace and
Istabraq and numerous Grand National winners
too many to mention. Most National Hunt
stables and horses are based in rural areas
throughout Ireland, many in beautiful and
scenic countryside settings. The province
of Munster is a particular stronghold. |
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Flat
racing is run mainly during the dry summer
season, March until November. A younger
lighter horse (aged 2 & upwards), bred
for speed, is trained over distances ranging
from 5 furlongs (1000m) to 18 furlongs (3600m).
Through the powerful Ballydoyle base of
the Coolmore Stud backed Aidan O’Brien
stable, Irish horses continue to win most
valuable and prestigious races worldwide.
English, French and Irish classics have
all been claimed in recent years by the
Ballydoyle operation. Irish horses have
travelled abroad to plunder valuable races
in America (The Breeders Cup), and Australia
(Melbourne Cup) along with the French Prix
de L’Arc de Triumph. Renowned Irish
trainers such as Dermot Weld, John Oxx,
Kevin Prendergast, Jim Bolger and Aidan
O’Brien are well known worldwide for
their professionalism and skill in training
racehorses and their yards have become academies
in which to learn. |
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flat horse needs careful handling due to their
young age and temperamental nature, with riders
requiring light hands, feet and weight maximum
of 10 stone (63 kgs). A rider of National Hunt
horse requires strength, skill and the ability
to jump fences as horses tend to be bigger and
physically stronger. |
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Turf Club in 2001 joined with
the Irish Horseracing Authority
(IHA, established by the government
in 1994), along with other industry
bodies including the Irish Stablestaff
Association (ISA, Est.1999), the
Irish Racehorse Trainers Association
(IRTA Est.1972), Owners, Bookmakers
and Unions to form and establish
a semi-state company Called Horse
Racing Ireland (HRI). Its role
is to direct, fund and promote
all aspects of the racing industry
in Ireland. |
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breeding of horses in Ireland
is a very strong and vibrant industry.
The Irish owned and managed Coolmore
Stud based in County Tipperary
with satellite studs in America
and Australia has become the most
powerful and successful breeding
operation in the world. Its stallions
continue to dominate throughout
the continents and hemispheres,
winning all major prizes and classics.
The Coolmore operation is 100%
Irish and its staff and skill
base is envied by the breeding
sector. |
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For
any young person considering a career
within the equine industry, Ireland is
recognised as the “Harvard University”
of all equine training and education.
People from far away countries such as
China, Japan, New Zealand, Australia,
America, Brazil, Arabia, Russia and the
Ukraine flock to the prestigious training
centres of education based in Ireland.
The Racing Academy and Centre of Education
(RACE) established in 1973, the Irish
National Stud Thoroughbred Breeding course
established in 1971, the Limerick University
equine Science course and the Enniskillen
College of Agriculture are the most respected
educational centres in Ireland. |
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Valuable
hands on experience can be gained by working
with horses in the many stable yards,
studs and veterinary hospitals throughout
Ireland. Any CV will be instantly enhanced
by work experience gained in Ireland,
as employers the world over recognise,
and respect Ireland and its horses as
the best there is. |
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If
you are interested in pursuing a career in the
Irish Equine Industry or have any questions,
comments or suggestions please feel free to contact
us on 353 - (0)45 - 531 911 |
Alternatively
you may email us or use our "quick
contact form" (on home page)
and one of our staff we will call you back promptly.
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