The I.H.A. unveiled their annual report for 1999 at Kilbeggan on Monday evening and Chairman Denis Brosnan used the opportunity to hit out at the Turf Club and A.I.R`s reluctance to accept Minister McCreevy`s proposed restructuring of Irish racing.
Brosnan warned that the Minister could withdraw the expected windfall if agreement is not reached by the end of June.
In his 'nightmare scenario' the industry is 'looking down the barrel of a gun' with only one month to go. How has Brosnan arrived at this deadline? A.I.R.`s chief executive Frank Smyth thinks the likely cutoff will be the start of October and this date concurs with a statement made by Minister McCreevy shortly before the Punchestown Festival.
Most people within the industry feel that agreement will be reached, although it may be a watered-down version of the Government`s original proposal. It does however appear, with all the mud slinging in recent months, that major rifts have formed and irreparable damage has been done. Certain individuals on opposing sides will find it impossible to work in harmony if and when a new governing body is set up.
The I.H.A.`s annual report was at first glance heart-warming: total betting up 15% to #133.5m, attendances up 7.4% to 1.3m, prize money up 24% to #20.6m, and race sponsorship up 17% to #4.6m.
On closer inspection there are some disturbing trends. Average attendances were down at 11 of the 25 tracks, total betting was down at 8 of the 25 tracks (despite the introduction of tax free betting halfway through the year), and the #733,000 spent on 'general marketing and promotions' generated an extra 90,458 people through the turnstiles which broken down further works out at #8.10 per individual customer.
Kilbeggan`s first meeting of the season was a huge success. Manager Paddy Dunican put the attendance at about 8,500, which is above the healthy average set last season at the Co. Westmeath venue. The Tote aggregate topped #100,000, an amazing total fora Monday evening, and well over half a million pounds passed through the bookmakers` satchels. Australian jockey Damien Oliver, who has been attached to Aidan O`Brien since arriving two weeks ago, rode his first winner on only his third ride in Ireland on Wednesday. Unsuccessful aboard two outsiders for O`Brien at The Curragh last weekend he teamed up with Noel Meade at Fairyhouse. Oliver had the luxury of easing down in the closing stages aboard newcomer Simplicity, the filly scored by 3L at 8/1. The twenty-seven year old rode 43 Group1 winners in his native country and is sure to become a valued member of the Ballydoyle team.
Fairyhouse proved an appropriate setting for the last day of the jumps season given that three of the new champions hail from Co. Meath. Noel Meade retained his trainers` title with 75 winners. Barry Geraghty won his first jockeys` championship clocking up 84 winners and Philip Carberry`s 31 wins were more than enough to secure the champion claimer award. Philip Fenton (22 wins) finished two clear of his close friend Karl Wyse in the race for the amateur title, while J.P. McManus was virtually unchallenged in the owners` section.
Tom Queally is a name to stick in your notebook. The 15-year-old apprentice looks like a star of the future having notched up three winners in recent weeks. His 3rd winner came at Naas on Sunday when he partnered Celtic Project to victory in a 1m3f handicap. The Dungarvan-born teenager oozed confidence as he brought the 7-Y-O gelding with a well-timed run in the straight.
