Horse Racing Ireland (HRI) will introduce the National Hunt Breeders Scheme at Down Royal Racecourse during the Down Royal Festival of Racing on October 30 and 31, 2026, offering vouchers worth up to €5,000 to breeders of Irish-bred winners in Graded National Hunt races. The initiative will cover 113 races across 16 racecourses throughout Ireland and will continue until the corresponding fixture in 2027, recognising breeders whose horses achieve success at the highest levels of the sport.
The programme will include Grade 1, Grade 2 and Grade 3 National Hunt contests, providing financial recognition for breeders whose horses deliver notable performances throughout the season. Under the National Hunt Breeders Scheme, eligible breeders will receive vouchers according to the grade of the race won, with the highest award reserved for Grade 1 victories.
Breeders of Irish-bred Grade 1 winners will receive vouchers worth €5,000, while those responsible for Grade 2 winners will qualify for €3,000. Breeders of Grade 3 winners will receive €2,000. The vouchers will be redeemable against future purchases of breeding stock or National Hunt stallion nominations, linking racecourse achievements with further investment in breeding.
Eligibility will depend on compliance with Foal Levy requirements. Breeders who fail to meet their Foal Levy obligations will be disqualified from receiving an award under the programme.
National Hunt Breeders Scheme Targets Challenges Facing Irish Breeding
The launch will come as Ireland’s breeding industry faces the twin pressures of declining foal crops and increased competition. Through the new initiative, HRI will seek to strengthen recognition for breeders and provide an additional incentive to continue producing high-quality National Hunt horses.
HRI chief executive Suzanne Eade will emphasise the importance of breeding to Ireland’s longstanding reputation in National Hunt racing. The scheme will reflect the contribution of breeders whose work will help sustain the quality and competitiveness of the sport.
Eade will also highlight the need to ensure that breeders receive appropriate recognition at a time when the industry will face growing challenges. The initiative will aim to encourage those producing successful horses to continue their work and support the people responsible for developing future generations of racing talent.
The structure of the National Hunt Breeders Scheme will connect rewards directly to results in recognised Graded races. By differentiating awards according to race grade, the programme will establish a clear framework for recognising achievements across the National Hunt calendar.
The inclusion of 113 races at 16 racecourses will give the initiative a broad national reach. Its coverage will extend beyond a single meeting or venue, creating opportunities for eligible breeders to earn recognition throughout the programme period.
ITBA Welcomes Greater Recognition for National Hunt Breeders
Frank Motherway, representing the National Hunt Committee of the Irish Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association (ITBA), will welcome the initiative as a positive development for breeders. The association will view the scheme as progress towards recognising the contribution of breeders to the wider success of Irish racing.
The initiative will follow discussions between HRI and the ITBA concerning the role of breeders in the industry. Its introduction will reflect a shared interest in ensuring that breeding achievements receive greater recognition alongside success on the racecourse.
The vouchers will also provide practical support for future breeding decisions, allowing eligible recipients to put their awards towards breeding stock purchases or National Hunt stallion nominations. This approach will connect recognition for past achievements with opportunities for continued investment in the sector.
The programme will begin at Down Royal Racecourse on October 30 and 31, 2026, before continuing through the corresponding fixture in 2027. With awards spanning three grades and a total of 113 qualifying races, HRI will establish a structured initiative to acknowledge the breeders behind Irish-bred National Hunt winners.
The National Hunt Breeders Scheme will reward eligible breeders of Irish-bred Grade 1, Grade 2 and Grade 3 winners with vouchers worth €5,000, €3,000 and €2,000, respectively. Beginning at Down Royal Racecourse on October 30–31, 2026, the initiative will cover 113 races at 16 Irish racecourses through the corresponding fixture in 2027. Breeders will need to comply with Foal Levy requirements to qualify.
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