RACING:Horse Racing Ireland (HRI) have promised "radical measures" to solve the ever-increasing problem of horses being balloted out of races in this country.
The sport's ruling body have published their first half-year figures for 2007, and they included substantial increases in betting and attendances.
However, a by-product of racing's success in the last decade has been the issue of balloting, with more and more horses not getting the chance actually to get a run.
The average horse population in training in Ireland right now is 6,799, a 3.2 per cent increase on last year, but increasing ownership and an increasing foal population means too many horses are being entered to run.
"This situation is not sustainable and was the subject of a special HRI board meeting in June to consider ways of addressing the problem," said HRI chief executive Brian Kavanagh yesterday.
"After detailed analysis, HRI executives will bring forward proposals to the board in August and, once finalised, their conclusions will be published.
"The emphasis will continue to be placed on improving the quality of the Irish racing product, providing opportunities for horses of reasonable ability but progressively removing the worst horses from the system."
Between now and the HRI board's meeting at the Galway festival, discussions will be held with bodies representing trainers and owners.
HRI, who are coming to the end of their latest five-year strategic plan, said yesterday they are on course to reach their 1.5 million attendance target by the end of 2007. That would represent a 210,000 attendance increase on 2002.
On-course bookmaker betting increased by nine per cent in the last six months to €99.6 million, while there was a significant increase of 21.5 per cent in tote turnover to €26.9 million. That figure includes a €3.8 million boost from "co-mingling" with the Attheraces television channel and the British and French tote systems.
"The festivals continue to flourish in Ireland, although the Curragh Derby fell foul of some appalling weather," said Kavanagh.
Meanwhile, Light Shift continues to be a warm favourite for Sunday's Darley Irish Oaks at the Curragh, and her trainer, Henry Cecil, is confident the Niarchos family-owned filly can complete the English-Irish Oaks double.
"She is in great form. I am delighted with her and she just needs some luck," said Cecil, who has saddled two double winners already with Ramruma (1999) and Diminuendo (1988).
The Newmarket trainer also won the Irish Oaks in 1989 with the Michael Kinane-ridden Alydaress.
Light Shift remains as short as 11 to 10 favourite with Paddy Power, who rate the Epsom runner-up Peeping Fawn as her main danger again.
This evening's action at Fairyhouse is all-National Hunt, where Co Wexford trainer Paul Nolan can continue his recent good form.
Parknakylehas been a consistent sort and looks to have a decent shout of breaking her duck over jumps in the opening mares maiden hurdle, while the Roscommon bumper winner Arklow Gershould be a major player in the maiden hurdle.
Irish Invader proved to be an expensive horse to follow over hurdles and can be opposed in the Beginners Chase with the 113-rated Gotno Destination, who is a lot better than his last run at Killarney would suggest.
IRISH OAKS BETTING (Paddy Power): 11 to 10 Light Shift, 7 to 4 Peeping Fawn, 8 Timarwa, 12 All My Loving, Four Sins, 20 Profound Beauty, 25 Athenian Way, 33 Bar.
Irealnd's flourishing festivals:
Figures for the first half of 2007
On-course bookmaker betting: 99.6 million, up 8.1m (+9%).
Tote betting: 26 million, up 4.6m (+21.5%).
Attendances: 568,982, up 9,936 (+1.8%).
Fixtures: 146, up two (+1.4%).
Total runners: 15,275, up 670 (+4.6%).
Total prizemoney: 25.3 million, up 1.1 million (+4.5%).
Sponsorship: 3.8 million, up 200,000 (+5.5%).
Bloodstock sales: €39.2 million, up 5.9 million (+17.7%).
