ITBA Expo 2012 at Leopardstown All roads lead to Leopardstown over the next few days as the south Dublin racecourse hosts the Irish Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association Expo 2012, with An Taoiseach Enda Kenny officially opening the two day event at 12,45pm tomorrow, Friday February 24. The ITBA Expo 2012, which happens every two years and is the only one of its kind in Ireland, features over 100 stands and exhibits on site representing all facets of the horse world. The Expo opens to the public at 10am and is a platform to showcase and progress racing, an industry that employs over 16,500 people in Ireland. Mr Kenny will witness demonstrations by Riding for the Disabled Association and the Irish Farrier School in the parade ring at Leopardstown. The highlight of the Expo will be the International Breeding & Racing Forum, which takes place on Friday evening at 6pm. The panel includes Horse Racing Ireland CEO Brian Kavanagh, trainer Mark Johnston, Down Royal Chairman Jim Nicholson, Ballylinch Stud’s MD John O’Connor and Carter Carnegie, who is Senior Vice President of the Breeders Cup. For the first time ever, this interactive forum will be streamed live and an anticipated global audience of 3,000 is expected to tune in. The promotion of National Hunt bred fillies is the topic of another forum at 3pm on Friday, with Robert Hall, Noel Meade, Jim Mernagh and Richard Pugh all taking part. The Irish Field’s Leo Powell will chair the event. Manager of the ITBA Shane O’ Dwyer commented, “We are thrilled An Taoiseach Enda Kenny is officially opening ITBA Expo 2012. Connolly’s Red Mills have come on board as Associate Sponsor and would like to pay tribute to our other sponsors, Horse Racing Ireland, Pierse Motors, Tipperary Town, The Heritage Golf & Spa Resort, The Irish Field and Weatherbys Ireland GSB for supporting this biennial event. “We look forward to welcoming people both from inside and outside of the racing industry on Friday and Saturday, and I would like to reiterate that it is free and open to all.” Those exhibiting include the major sponsors plus the likes of Goffs and Tattersalls Ireland, many leading stud farms like Coolmore, Derrinstown and Ballylinch, and a wide range of racing related businesses. New to the event programme is ITBA Exposé 2012, which will showcase the key looks and trends for this year’s must have racing fashion and accessories for ladies and gentlemen. The two day event closes on Saturday evening at 6.00pm.
