IGB Incentive Schemes

IGB Incentive Schemes June 2018


·         Novice Scheme

Effective from 1 April 2018, a once-off payment of €100 for greyhounds who commence their racing careers prior to reaching 19 months and complete their first five races at IGB licenced tracks.

The greyhound must run their first five races in a consecutive order at IGB tracks only. The greyhound must complete its first novice race after 1 April 2018. The payment is made on the completion of a fifth race to the owner of a greyhound. The first payments are to be made from early June 2018.


·         Dublin Participation Scheme

This scheme will allow for a €20 payment in respect of the fourth, fifth and sixth place in all races at Shelbourne Park Stadium on all nights. The scheme is effective from 1 April 2018. The proposed payment should assist in alleviating the exceptional travel costs incurred by owners, breeders and trainers in attending at Shelbourne Park.


·         Runners Incentive

A once-off payment of €800 is made to an owner that reaches 100 races at IGB tracks between 1 April and 31 March of the following year. For each race after the 100 and within the year, they will receive a payment of eight euros.

An owner may designate a public or private trainer to receive the payment. Double payments for owner or trainer are not permitted.


·         Breeders’ €15 Scheme

A payment of €15 is paid to the breeder of the winning first-place greyhound in all races. The winning prize money must be €1,999 or less and at IGB tracks only.


·         SIS Scheme

A €20 payment in respect of the fourth, fifth and sixth place in all races at the three SIS meetings is paid to the owner.


·         Breeders’ 10% Scheme

The breeder of the winning first-place greyhound at all races will receive a payment equal to 10% of the winning prize money in cases where the applicable prize money is €2,000 or greater. This applies to IGB tracks only.


·         Public Trainers 10% Scheme

A Public Trainer will receive 10% of all prize money payments applicable to their greyhound. This applies to all races at IGB tracks.

Chairperson of Bord na gCon/ The Irish Greyhound Board

The vacancy for the position of Chairperson of Bord na gCon/ The Irish Greyhound Board is now live on StateBoards.ie with a closing date for applications of Tuesday 19 June 2018 at 3PM.

The position online here, http://www.stateboards.ie/stateboards/campaignAdvert/84715.htm  , identifies essential characteristics including experience of strategic planning as a ‘CEO/Managing Director of a commercially driven organisation’ and a ‘clear understanding of the greyhound racing and breeding sector’, amongst other desirable attributes.

An Assessment Panel will be convened by the Public Appointments Service (PAS) to consider and assess the applications. The Panel will draw a shortlist of suitable candidates to be sent forward for consideration by the Minister for Agriculture, Food & the Marine for the appointment to be made

IGB allocate €250,000 for private track investment

As part of upgrading stadia within the Strategic Plan 2018-2022, the Irish Greyhound Board (IGB) has established a fund of €250,000 for private tracks to upgrade and improve facilities. The grant scheme provides a maximum of €35,000 per track with applications open until 8 June 2018.

The criteria for approval, available on the IGB website, states that funds are confined to ‘projects or initiatives that will enhance animal welfare, health and safety, examination and testing facilities and track improvements.’ Furthermore applications should outline clearly the improvements that the project will deliver.

Chairman of the IGB, Phil Meaney commented ‘Our focus is on rebuilding the greyhound sector through an improved customer experience but also greyhound welfare. This scheme is an important early step as part of our five year plan. Addressing the long term debt of the IGB was never an end in itself, but rather a means to allow the much needed investment across the greyhound sector.’

PRODUCE DEADLINE FAST APPROACHING AT CLONMEL

PRODUCE DEADLINE FAST APPROACHING AT CLONMEL

Such has been the trend in major events over the past few seasons that there is hardly any need for panic when entries are slow to arrive, even in the last week before deadline but Eddie Anderson would welcome a deluge of names for the 2018 Larry O’Rourke sponsored National Produce Stakes which commences on Sunday week, May 6^th.

Carrying a €20,000 winner’s prize, entries will close on this coming Tuesday at 10 am in readiness for the draw but having not reached the halfway point in the search for 54 runners as of yet, all at Clonmel would appreciate entries as soon as possible.

So many of the bigger events get labelled as classics in the modern era but in truth, there are only a handful of true original classics and the National Produce Stakes holds a special place in the history of Irish greyhound racing since first claimed by Sporting Fancy in 19.39!

Indeed, with the changing complexion of racing in modern times and a shift to 550 yards for many major events, it is the younger generation of the sport who enjoy the greater opportunity to contest for major honours as even the English Derby has now gone beyond the previously traditional 525 yard classic distance and the Produce Stakes is a precious opportunity for youngsters who will see their options limited at that trip as they advance.

Of course we always expect the major kennels to fill the bulk of entries in the classics and it can be daunting for smaller outfits to entertain the thought of a classic entry in exalted company. That is something that my own family kennels have been guilty of in the past but in reality, there is simply nothing to be lost in contesting these events with promising young racers and inspection of the recent Kirby Memorial will reveal many in the latter stages that were graded racers before heading for Limerick! How well did they advertise their breeding line, their dam or even their attractiveness as a possible prospect for sale?

To emphasise, 2015 winner Ballybough Mondo entered the event while graded A2, Whiteys Hawk was an unraced Novice Open before the first round in 2011, a year after Faypoint Dave entered the event as an A1 runner in 2010.

With four to qualify from each of the opening two rounds of the Produce Stakes, it should be noted that all bar 18 of the 54 entries will get their entry fee back at the very minimum.

THE 2018 NATIONAL PRODUCE STAKES

For 54 greyhounds @ €70 each that were whelped in 2016. It’s important to note that the first four will qualify from the FIRST & SECOND rounds so all bar the 18 greyhounds eliminated from the first round will, at least, get their money back.

WINNER: €20,000 & TROPHY

First Round: SUNDAY, MAY 6

Entries Close: Tuesday, May 1 at 10 am Draw will take place at 12

Entries to Eddie Anderson at 052-6183334 / cmltrack@gmail.com

Sale of Harold’s Cross to provide €6 million reinvestment

Sale of Harold’s Cross to provide €6 million reinvestment for greyhound racing



Investment marks a ‘new beginning for greyhound industry’



The sale of the former Harold’s Cross greyhound stadium is expected to be completed shortly as contracts have now been signed between the Irish Greyhound Board (IGB) and the Department of Education & Skills for the sum of €23 million euros. Approval has been granted by the Minister for Agriculture Food & the Marine and the Minister for Public Expenditure & Reform for the IGB’s Business Plan for the surplus of some €6 million from the sale to be reinvested, as outlined in the recently published Strategic Plan 2018-2022.



Phil Meaney, Chairman of IGB commented ‘This investment marks a new beginning for the greyhound industry. In recent years, a long term debt has acted as a financial strait-jacket on our industry. The sale of Harold’s Cross will now provide some €6 million to reinvest. Our Strategic Plan proposes a capital development programme totalling €12 million which includes upgrading Shelbourne Park, further welfare enhancements, IT upgrades and improving basic facilities to the benefit of all that participate in and enjoy the sport. However all investments over the five year period are contingent on financial resources being available. The surplus funds from the Harold’s Cross sale will allow us to make significant progress on implementing our plans.’



The interim 2017 financial statement by the IGB reported a group operating surplus of €1.67 million (EBITDA), a reduction from €3.2 million in 2016. The statement highlighted the impact of Shelbourne Park’s 22 week closure which ended in June 2017. Total attendances were reduced by circa 98,000 in the Dublin region (2016 national total 636,914) to 514,546 customers in 2017. The disruption to racing at Shelbourne Park also adversely impacted on other income streams, principally all tote betting platforms.



A recent report by Economist Jim Power, The Economic and Financial Significance of the Irish Greyhound Industry calculates there are 5,058 full and part-time jobs within the sector with a further 7,313 greyhound owners deriving economic benefit. The impact of this employment creates €171 million in additional spending while the greyhound owners contribute €135 million in spending. The national industry therefore contributes €300 million in additional economic activity. Of the 16 stadia within Ireland, 15 are located outside Dublin which the report states, highlights the contribution to rural communities in additional jobs and spending. The PAYE/PRSI contribution per annum is estimated at €12.7 million.

All Greyhound Racing cancelled for Friday & Saturday 2/3 March

MEDIA STATEMENT



The Irish Greyhound Board IGB wishes to advise that, having assessed the conditions at all tracks and taken account of the latest weather advisories, greyhound racing will not proceed on Saturday 3rd March 2018.



This decision has been taken in the interests of greyhound welfare  and the practical difficulties that will be experienced by owners, breeders, trainers and patrons in safely accessing greyhound stadia from all parts of the country.



The following are the  proposed alternative arrangements:



Shelbourne Park, Dublin:

Semis final of Ladbrokes Easter Cup is rescheduled to Tuesday 6th March. Final will go ahead on Saturday 10th March at Shelbourne Park.

Curraheen Park, Cork:

The Greyhound & Petworld Supersprint is rescheduled to Saturday 10th March

Kilcohan Park, Waterford:

The Yahoo Kennels Marathon is rescheduled to Saturday 10th March.

Limerick:

Race card rescheduled to Saturday 10th March

Mullingar:

Race card rescheduled to Saturday 10th March. Decision regarding Sunday’s meeting (SIS) will be made.

Tralee:

Race card rescheduled to Saturday 10th March.

Galway:

Race card rescheduled to Saturday 10th March.



The IGB has also been advised of the following:

Thurles:

Race card rescheduled to Saturday 10th March.

The Sales event at Thurles planned for 6th March has been rescheduled to Saturday 10th March ( trials at 9 a.m. with auction commencing at 11 a.m.)

Lifford:

Race card rescheduled for Saturday 10th March.

Dundalk

Race card rescheduled to Saturday 10th March.



The IGB thanks everybody for their cooperation and forbearance during this severe weather event.

Festival Fancies & Market

On Course bookmaker Peter O'Reilly has been good enough to keep me updated with his Festival market over the past weeks so these are featured below in addition to those already available.

My last written contribution before we kick off, I'm like a child at Christmas. Best of luck to all, especially those attached to my home club and the qualifiers from our Nenagh Meeting.

Below are my main fancies to fund the Monday evening session and form my strongest opinions before commencement. However, I won't let Ballymeelishnell or Bagsy The Front go to slips without some sort of investment either.

I'm off to pack the car.....Long Live Coursing!!

Quarter Bets:

Both selected for the Oaks, I am strong on these but they're just one man's opinion so don't inundate me contradictions because I won't have time to come back at ye!! :) .......unless I meet ye in Chawke's this evening!!!!!

The comments attached to each runner were my own notes jotted down when studying before the draw was made. 

Oaks 1st Quarter

COBRA ANGEL – Enniscorthy/Only outing/(+15,-1,-8) Now Now, you can scoff the short field all you want but not many bitches would post such figures in comparison to Jamess Treasure anywhere. Best in the TS all the way is a lovely sign for a young bitch on debut. There wasn't a mountain of form to boost this stake but enough snippets to be very encouraged. Open to any amount of improvement and if it turns out that a longer field will actually suit better then hold the back-page! This could be a real springer. Completely unexposed with almost certain improvement to come. Simply has to be a player! 20/1 ***** BEXHILL EOIN/ANNUAL TIME / Would be hoping for around 5/1 for the quarter.

Oaks 2nd Quarter

SHARE THE DREAM – Lim City/ only outing/(-3,=,-7,-7) to Barefoot Marine and look at it from any angle, this is class! Young too so a debut like this screams that she is the real deal. I was all about her on the day too so it’s pleasing that this inspection reflects what the eye thought it saw. Nothing came out of the stake which is the only negative but you can readily dismiss that because she was streets ahead of them like a good one should be. By far the best I saw with my own eye, no matter what the draw or what my studying throws up….this in my bet for the Oaks! ****** 14/1. ADIOS ALONSO/CLASS ATTRACTION / Will probably be around 2/1.

Outright Bets

Oaks - Share The Dream

Derby - LONE ROCKET – Ballyduff/Only outing/ (+11,-4,-13,+13) to a lofty benchmark in Kyle Mozart. Ignore the last mark which was the final with an extra run. This is superb! Outoftheshadow is highly rated and rightly so for clocking so well with Blades but on a line through Mozart, you have to say Lone Rocket is in the same sphere. Beat Cill Ide Wonder in the final who was solid all year but also took care of City Link along the way while the stake also housed Amazing Style, Bedford Wonder, Kyle Duke and Coolavanny Juno. A case can be made that he could be the top rated pup and I’ll be going in at 16/1. ***** ADIOS ALONSO/DUBLINFOURDASHER 

P O’Reilly Oaks Betting – Non Runner (No Bet) e.way 1.2 ½ the Odds.

First Quarter

8/1	SPACE TREND	v	SCAREDY PANTS	33/1
N/R	N/R	v	CLASH CHANNAIGH	40/1
40/1	WOODLANDS ROISIN	v	N/R	N/R
12/1	MAD DECISION	v	BRIDEWELL KIT	25/1
80/1	CRAFTY TAMACO	v	COBRA ANGEL	25/1
33/1	SHE’S OUR DIVA	v	COULD BE QUEEN	40/1
12/1	ELEGANT DAME	v	BANKERS HILL	50/1
33/1	BALLYMORE LUCY	v	KILLIMOR BELLE	50/1

Second Quarter

33/1	MAGPIE DELIGHT	v	SMINKY BLONDE	40/1
14/1	SHARE THE DREAM	v	THE OTHER TESSA	50/1
33/1	CENTRAL GLAMOUR	v	LOYAL LABAMBA	22/1
50/1	PARTYS ON ME	v	TREE TOP ABBIE	33/1
40/1	GONE TO TOWN	v	CRAFTY SORDO	50/1
40/1	GOODBYE GIRL	v	THREE PADDYS	28/1
33/1	ABBEYGLEN HAWK	v	ANTONIA	28/1
18/1	GRAIGUES LEGACY	v	HEARTBEAT	28/1

Third Quarter

50/1	SYDNEY MO CARA	v	GRACES BELLE	40/1
16/1	BLADES OF HONOUR	v	BALLYMEELISHNELL	33/1
40/1	BLUEHILL HEATHER	v	MYLEENE	14/1
40/1	WISEGUY NORA	v	CILL IDE BLISS	33/1
33/1	HOWYAMISSUS	v	BAREFOOT MAGIC	22/1
4/1	SILENT WONDER	v	BILLISTOWN JUDY	100/1
50/1	BELLINTER KERRY	v	ALLOFTHELIGHTS	33/1
33/1	HOWS MRS FOLEY	v	JUNCTION HILL	66/1

Fourth Quarter

20/1	NOTHING FANCY	v	YIPPEE LILLY	25/1
33/1	CENTRAL MAID	v	SOUTHOFHERE	25/1
33/1	MANLEY FLIGHT	v	PLEASE BABE	25/1
40/1	DUARIGLE CLASS	v	AMYS HERO	50/1
50/1	SOUTHWIND NELL	v	FOXHOLLOW LADY	22/1
N/R	N/R	v	SOME TONIC	33/1
40/1	SYDNEY WISH	v	BROWNES CROSS	33/1
25/1	ALONSO BLONDE	v	FLAGFIELD ALONSO	33/1

P O’Reilly Derby Betting – Non Runner (No Bet) e.way 1.2 ½ the Odds.

First Quarter

22/1	NEEDHAM YIPPEE	v	MAYFIELD	25/1
40/1	CROHANE HILLTOP	v	CENTRAL ROCKER	25/1
33/1	FRAGGLE ROCK	v	HONEY SMOKEY	66/1
40/1	FINE OLD CHAP	v	DALE BELMONT	33/1
33/1	CITY EXPERT	v	KNOCKDERK FLYER	50/1
66/1	DOINGITFORFIADH	v	KYLE VIVALDI	66/1
10/1	ROQUEFORT TEDDY	v	SILENT WHISPER	11/1
66/1	BLASTOFF BINGO	v	SORRY NOT SORRY	28/1

Second Quarter

50/1	HYDEPARK BINGO	v	LONG JOHN SILVER	25/1
6/1	OUTOFTHESHADOW	v	OAKVIEW WAVE	50/1
50/1	GOODBYE VENICE	v	THAT’S MY MAN	40/1
66/1	ACT OF KINDNESS	v	RATHFORT WONDER	50/1
50/1	TIN MAN	v	WI CAN SCURRY	50/1
33/1	SPIN THE WHIP	v	BLUEVIEW TRUMP	28/1
33/1	CLON EAGLE	v	TOUCHSTONE	28/1
40/1	BARROW GEORGE	v	AMAZING STYLE	28/1

Third Quarter

40/1	CLAREABBEY FLYER	v	ASHMORE DERBY	33/1
25/1	BOYNESIDE SWIFT	v	BEDFORD RAMBLER	50/1
40/1	DALE ARROGATE	v	SHINE A DIAMOND	22/1
25/1	COOLAVANNY JUNO	v	BALLYMAC BILLY	33/1
25/1	AHAMORE WONDER	v	YOU AMAZE ME	25/1
9/1	WATCHMAN	v	HALF A MOMENT	33/1
40/1	COOGA GAMBLE	v	RAPID RESPONSE	50/1
28/1	BAGSY THE FRONT	v	CITY LINK	11/1

Fourth Quarter

28/1	OOLA PRINCE	v	ALWAYS IN THE RUN	33/1
40/1	MASTEROFDISASTER	v	GRANARD BREEZE	33/1
22/1	COBRA COMMANDER	v	KYLE STEEL	16/1
6/1	PART EXCHANGE	v	N/R
50/1	HILIGHT WARRIOR	v	ZIZU	33/1
14/1	LONE ROCKET	v	MINGDRUM TANK	40/1
50/1	BEDFORD WONDER	v	CLASH BRUNO	50/1
40/1	CRESCENT ASH	v	GRANARD BOLT	33/1

P O’Reilly : Kevin Smith Champion Stakes Betting

 Non Runner ( Rule 4 to all bets apply) Win only

7/1	KILKILLOGUE	v	BALLYGERALD BUZZ	3/1
5/2	KYLE MOZART	v	DOMAIN KING	10/1
2/1	SKELLIG SHANE	v	WI CAN RIKI	16/1
7/1	FLOATING VICTOR	v	KYLE ALEX	5/1

P O’Reilly : Grace Bruton Champion Stakes Betting

 Non Runner ( Rule 4 to all bets apply) Win only

1/1	BEXHILL ANNA	v	BABES COTTAGE	12/1
12/1	STRAIGHTLEGS	v	DO IT CHUBBYS	4/1
6/4	DICKS BIMBO	v	GRIPWELL NANCY (B)	10/1
10/1	KINGSMILL ARIEL	v	TOUCH OF CLASS	3/1

HAPPY PUNTING !