Connolly’s RED MILLS join forces with Irish EBF to Sponsor Auction Hurdle Series

Irish European Breeders’ Fund today announced Connolly’s RED MILLS as co-sponsor of the Irish EBF National Hunt Auction Hurdle Series that will run from September 2018 until April 2019. The series gets underway at Listowel on September 11^th with a €20,000 maiden and finishes in April 2019 with a valuable €75,000 final, and total prize-money of €355,000.

Speaking about the announcement, John O’Connor, Irish EBF Chairman, said; “Irish EBF wholeheartedly welcome the involvement of Connolly’s RED MILLS with the much-anticipated National Hunt Auction Hurdle Series. Irish EBF, Horse Racing Ireland and now RED MILLS will support this series to encourage the purchase of NH store horses at auction and give owners and trainers an immense opportunity to target the series with horses costing €45,000 or less.”

Tom Mullins, trainer, commented; “I think this is a brilliant initiative and a great way to bring new owners into the game, we need these owners to keep it lively and vibrant. To buy a horse for €45,000 or less and be able to target this series with a chance to win and perhaps cover your purchase price is wonderful. I will be checking the auction price of all my horses to see which ones are eligible for the upcoming races this September.”

The series will consist of 14 maiden and novice hurdle races from September 2018 to April 2019, each worth a minimum of €20,000, with a final in April worth €75,000. Entry into the final is limited to horses which have run in one of the previous races in the series. The conditions will specify that all horses must be by an EBF registered stallion and bought as an unraced three or four-year-old at a recognised National Hunt Store sale for €45,000 or less, with weight allowances depending on purchase price. In addition, the ITBA have agreed to boost the series by including the €5,000 Weatherbys/ITBA NH Fillies Bonus Scheme for all races in the series.

Gareth Connolly, Sales and Marketing Director at Connolly’s RED MILLS said; “This is more than a sponsorship, this is our direct contribution back to the industry that supports us 365 days of the year. We understand the challenges that trainers and owners are facing and felt this was another perfect opportunity to partner with the Irish EBF to deliver another valuable series. We have had remarkable success with Irish EBF and our partner supplement company Foran Equine, seeing huge interest and participation in the Foran Equine Irish EBF Auction Series. The aim is to do the same now on the National Hunt side with RED MILLS.

Like all things, sport is evolving, and the competitive margins are getting tighter and tighter. Our focus is on evolving our products and services to meet the demands of our customers including a comprehensive approach to high performance nutrition bringing together the science and expertise of both feed and supplements. We hope both these series will give us the opportunity to showcase what we offer while at the same time helping to provide opportunities to our customers.”

RED MILLS Irish EBF Auction Hurdle Series

• 14 maiden and novice hurdle races from September 2018 – April 2019
• Each race worth a minimum of €20,000
• Final worth €75,000, entry into final is limited to horses which have run in one of the previous races in the series
• Horse must be by an EBF Registered stallion and bought as an unraced 3/4yo at a recognised NH store sale for €45,000 or less
• Each race is included in the €5,000 Weatherbys / ITBA Fillies bonus scheme