In the Flat season just ended, Ireland offered the highest average prize in Europe and in the year ahead we will also be providing the continent's highest average prize under National Hunt Rules.
This will be the sequel to yesterday's announcement by the Irish Horse Racing Authority that the programme for January to May, which will be published next week, will have an injection of an extra £2.3 million.
An examination of this year's programme for the same period reveals that of the 680 races run to the end of May, 520 were National Hunt races. The additional funding averages out at £4,423 per race.
There will, however, be a sizeable differential in the way in which the money is divided. At the bottom, maiden bumpers and hunter chases will be increased by only £1,000; winners' bumpers by between £1,500 and £2,000; maiden hurdles and low-grade handicap hurdles by £32,000; while the minimum value of all beginners' and low grade handicap chases will be £3,000.
The better quality races will get a significant hike, and the base value of the Grades One, Two and Three events will increase respectively to £50,000, £35,000, and £25,000. Patterns handicaps will likewise get increases of up to £15,000.
Commenting on the new schedule, Martin Moore, chief executive of the Irish Horse Racing Authority, said "The authority recognises the contribution that National Hunt racing makes to the Irish thoroughbred racing industry.
"This significant increase in prizemoney is an initiative which the authority believes will provide an immediate significant boost to all those involved in this sector and will enhance Ireland's position as a prime location for owning, training, racing and breeding the thoroughbred horse."
The problem that still remains to be resolved is exhibited at Tramore today when five of the seven races produced ballots.
It is not sufficient merely to inject money - a solution is urgently required to the ever-increasing numbers of low-grade horses - something the handicap ratings pinpoint - which do not enhance the status of the Irish-bred or trained horse and merely clutter up the racecards.
Harry de Bromhead, George Cully and Pat Flynn, all of whom are Co Waterford-based, may provide four winners between them this afternoon.
The chances of Reggae Rhythm (1-15) are boosted by the fact that the conditions do not provide for any allowance for those that have not won on the flat.
Last year, Reggae Rhythm took the Nolan Ryan Partnership Cup on the flat at Gowran Park and, by a coincidence, Karakam, the runner-up there, again looks the danger.
River Clodagh (2-45) won two hurdles in the spring, the more important success coming in the Oliver St John Gogarty Handicap at Listowel. Then he beat Make My Day (2-15) by one and a half lengths and Ted Walsh's runner will go close in the Waterford Castle Rated Hurdle.
West Trix VI, a beaten favourite behind Amocachi at Thurles, is napped to record his first win of the year off bottom weight; and Pat Flynn's turn may come in the bumper with Native Kin (345).
