AUGUST2018

THE NEWSLETTER FOR MEMBERS OF THE IRISH RACEHORSE TRAINERS ASSOCIATION

The Irish Trainer

Derby joy for JosephLatrobe provides first Classic winner for Joseph O’Brien

Saturday 29 September 2018

The Cambridgeshire (Class 2 Heritage Handicap)

Total prize fund £160,000, 3yo+, 1M 1F. Enter by 12pm,

Tuesday 21 August, £275 stake

Saturday 13 October 2018

The Cesarewitch (Class 2 Heritage Handicap)

Total prize fund £500,000, 3yo+, 2m 2F. Enter by 12pm,

Tuesday 21 August, £1000 stake

Please contact Michael Prosser, Clerk of the Course, on +44 7802 844578, for further details.

03 VISIT WWW.IRTA.IE FOR THE LATEST NEWS AND UPDATES

Irish Racehorse Trainers Association – Curragh House, Dublin Road, Kildare

Chief Executive: Michael GrassickChairman: Noel Meade Vice Chairman: Michael Halford Tel: 045 522 981 Mob: 087 258 8770email: office@irta.ie

Council Members: Jim Gorman Eoin GriffinJessica Harrington Tom Hogan Andrew McNamara Eric McNamaraAidan O’Brien Andy OliverPatrick Prendergast Jnr. Dermot Weld

Published monthly by Anderson & Co Publishing Ltd. For all advertising enquiries please call: 041 971 2000 www.anderson-co.com

ForewordT H E I R I S H T R A I N E R / A U G U S T 2 0 1 8

I’m pleased to note that there has been a very good response so far by

trainers in returning the General Data Protection Regulation forms.

Can I please ask any members who have not yet done so to send back

the completed GDPR forms to our office as soon as possible.

Regarding Work Permits, we have recently had two meetings with the Department of

Employment Affairs and Social Protection, the second of which took place on Friday, 13 July.

First of all, we have to try and explore every avenue in Europe to see if we get any suitable

candidates. This work will be done in conjunction with the Department of Employment Affairs

and Social Protection.

We need to go through this process first, which will take a number of weeks, and depending on

results will determine whether Work Permits will be issued or not.

Regarding passport issues, any trainer feeling that they are being unfairly treated are advised

to contact our office, as there are ongoing discussions with the I.H.R.B. (The Turf Club).

Kind regards,

Michael Grassick / Irish Racehorse Trainers Association

CONTENTS

Winners Abroad . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5

Michael Grassick interview: Aoife Hanratty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6

Foreign jockeys riding in France . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Products of the Month . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Hurling for Cancer 2018 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Upcoming sales . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

COVER PHOTO: Trainer: Joseph Patrick O’BrienJockey: D O’Brien Owner: Lloyd J Williams

Breeder: Sweetmans BloodstockPhoto: Caroline Norris

Due to an oversight, Gordon Elliott’s excellent victory with Pallasator in the Queen Alexandra Stakes at Royal Ascot was omitted from last month’s newsletter.

To the time of going to print, Aidan O’Brien had an international Group 1 treble. Athena obliged in the Belmont Oaks, U S Navy Flag in the July Cup at Newmarket and Kew Gardens in the Grand Prix de Paris at Longchamp. Also at Newmarket, Alpha Centauri embellished her star status by scoring in the Falmouth Stakes (G1).

Elsewhere, Polly Glide went in at Hamilton for Lee Smyth, Circling Moon at Chepstow for Johnny Murtagh and Temasek Star at Wolverhampton for Andrew McCann.

For the National Hunt, Gordon Elliott figures again with Robin Des Mana successful at Worcester and Southwell, while Liam Lennon visited the winner’s circle at Perth with Maureen’s Star.

Excellent work and congratulations to all the teams.

Winners abroad

To validate the information furnished, the caller will be asked to provide the trainer’s Horse Racing Ireland account number and trainer’s date of birth. All calls are recorded for verification and security purposes. Veterinary certificates, where required, must be sent as usual to the Office of the Governing Bodies within 72 hours. A trainer failing to lodge a certificate within the time period shall be liable to a fine in accordance with Rule 194(v)(vi).

The dedicated line number 045 - 445645 is in operation on a race day until one and a half hours before the time scheduled for the first race.

Opening hours for the non-runner line

Race meetings run from Monday to Friday – from 9.00am

Saturday evening meetings – from 12 noon

Race meetings run on Saturday/Sunday/Bank Holidays – from 10.00am

For the avoidance of doubt, when a trainer chooses to notify a non-runner through the Offices of the Governing Bodies, the only acceptable method shall be by telephone on the dedicated line number - 045-445645. Trainers should be able to quote the meeting number and race letter from which their horse is a non-runner. Information Line - 045-445666

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Non-runner telephone line

PLEASE NOTE THE CHANGES TO THE NON RUNNERS LINE!

As an alternative to sending notification of a non-runner to the Race Meeting, trainers can call a dedicated non-runner telephone line (045- 445645) at the Office of the Governing Bodies with the excuse for non-running.

Michael Grassick in Conversation with

Aoife Hanratty, PA Solutions

T H E I R I S H T R A I N E R / A U G U S T 2 0 1 8

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MICHAEL: You provide administration assistance to racing yards and stud farm offices, what do you see as the biggest challenges currently facing trainers?

AOIFE: One challenge linking several issues is the need to provide written evidence of compliance, whether for staff, Health & Safety, movement of horses or vaccinations. Having a good administration system in place is a huge help and needn’t be time-consuming or technical. MG: Is it a case that all trainers, however small, now need a full-time administrator?

AH: There are ways of simplifying administration and keeping on top of regulations and record-keeping. The easiest way is with a whiteboard in the yard and printed Excel sheets or equivalent, that can be filled in by hand. It’s about finding a way that suits you best in recording daily activities. Once you have the templates in place and a routine, it’s quicker to fill in details as you go than try and catch up with a backlog once a week.

MG: What compliance issues should trainers be aware of?

AH: Health & safety is important and we would recommend you keep an Employer Checklist to ensure all is in order. You must have a Health and Safety Statement/Policy and it should be given to all new employees. There are templates available online that can be adapted. A template is available for all IRTA members online at www.irta.ie

An Accident Book and Report form should be easily accessible to all employees, together with a First Aid Kit that complies with HAS Health and Safety Authority (HSA) guidelines. The essential contents of a first aid kit can be found on the HAS website.

Signage is important and remember that not all employees have English as a first language or have good literacy skills, so clear images with simple instructions are best. The things that can often get overlooked are what to do in an emergency. Simple things like having a list of emergency numbers displayed in the yard, together with the Eircode, to help emergency services locate the yard quicker. Include a list of the First Aid Responders on the staff and their contact numbers.

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Employees must have training in Manual Handling, Fire Safety Awareness, Chemical Awareness, and there must be a qualified First Aider on the staff. The IRTA and PA Solutions are working with HRI to provide these courses at subsidised rates. PA Solutions hold a database system of employees within the industry who need the training so subsidised group classes can be held, making it more cost efficient to trainers.

New employees must be given an induction and there should be a form to sign to provide evidence they have received their induction. Sample forms are available on IRTA.ie

New employees must also be provided with the relevant safety equipment and, again, have them sign for it to provide evidence it was issued.

A checklist of training provided and items/paperwork issued can be printed and signed by employees, to be retained in your records. It can be as simple as a column listing all training/items, a tick box column, a space for the date and a space for a signature:

Induction y/n date signed

Manual Handling y/n date signed

Safety Statement Issued y/n date signed

GDPR Consent y/n date signed

Etc.

MG: How does all this record-keeping impact on Data Protection compliance?

AH: You have to consider what personal information is stored and whose personal data is stored. Why is it stored and for how long is it kept? Who has access to the data and how secure is it? Remember that you are protecting against identity theft. If you pass on details to a third party, such as client details to a vet, you must ask the third party for their GDPR statement.

Businesses must adopt appropriate organisational and technical controls to prevent, reduce and

manage the risks posed by data processing. You must be transparent and have the consent of those whose data you hold.

Consent forms can be included within an employee’s contract.

MG: What about Work Relations Commission legislation compliance?

AH: The WRC has the authority to check working hours, time off, contract breaches, records of training, hours, breaks, hourly rate, leave, etc.

The WRC has the right to enter any place of work at a reasonable time, and require the production of records, take copies of, and remove/retain records, interview and require information from any relevant person. They can pick any employee to interview.

The most important thing is to be open and honest. They will ask for your employer’s registration number, so make sure that is known or to hand. They will require a list of all employee details, full names, addresses, ppsn, dates of commencement, written terms of employment for each employee, employees’ job classification, a record of annual leave and public holidays taken by each employee, hours of work including start and finish times, and evidence that payslips are provided.

Your basic obligations as an employer are to keep an employee register, written terms and conditions,

The WRC has the right to enter any place of work at a reasonable time, and require the production of records, take copies of, and remove/retain records, interview and require information from any relevant person. They can pick any employee to interview.

continued �

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T H E I R I S H T R A I N E R / A U G U S T 2 0 1 8

working hours, calculation of average working hours, annual leave, rest breaks, rates of pay, overtime rates, expenses, sick leave, and maternity/paternity leave.

Everyone must sign in and out of break periods, but it isn’t always practical to have staff sign in and out, so alternatively it can be stated in the contract when break times must be taken. The working hours for each employee must be recorded.

The important thing to remember is to keep everything recorded.

PA Solutions offers a consultation service to IRTA members on behalf of the association, to assist with WRC requirements. This service is available to all members as part of their membership with the IRTA. If any member has any queries or feel they could benefit from a consultation they can contact me directly or through the IRTA office. MG: The dismissal of staff is always a sensitive issue for all concerned. What is the correct process for an employer to dismiss an employee?

AH: An employee can only be dismissed without notice if it is due to an act of gross misconduct. The gross misconduct acts must be stated in the employee’s terms and conditions of employment. Otherwise, you must follow the correct disciplinary procedure. A verbal warning can be followed by a first written warning, then a final written warning or suspension, followed by dismissal.

MG: Are there any phone apps to help with administration?

AH: There are software programmes and apps to simplify administration and to help with admin on the move or remotely, and Excel and its equivalent is just as useful and freely downloadable to mobile devices.

WhatsApp is also a good way to keep in touch with staff and teams by setting up a group, and sending out just one group message to all. But bear in mind that some members of a group could be on a day off or on leave. Webtext is another useful tool for sending group text messages.

MG: What are the benefits to trainers in having a PA service, such as PA Solutions?

AH: The vast majority of direct thoroughbred enterprises are small businesses, who do not have the need for a full-time secretary or personal assistant. The core of most training and breeding establishments is the care of the thoroughbred horse. As the new age continues, the list of regulations and compliance orders are increasing. Stud farms and training establishments can be inspected by numerous bodies such as Department of Agriculture, Work Place Relations Commission, The Turf Club, The Health and Safety Authority and now the Data Protection Commissioner. The pressure to remain within compliance is a major struggle and taking the trainer away from the core of their business.

PA Solutions offers reassurance, understanding and confidence to thoroughbred business owners by ensuring they are within compliance of the required legislation. We offer full or part responsibility services, acting on a continuous or ad hoc basis.

Along with the generic compliance requirements, we also offer thoroughbred specific services, for example vaccine management or sales documentation preparation, therefore reducing the worry and stress of not making the sales/track.

PA Solutions is an outsourced service, meaning that there are no additional costs involved such as employers PRSI, annual leave, public holidays etc. We are available when needed and there is no commitment on the trainer’s behalf.

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aroline Norris / carolinenorris.ie

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We offer a large range of services to the industry covering all aspects of duties involved in the running of an equine business. Our services include secretarial duties, equine administration, bookkeeping, staff management, payroll, event management, marketing, websites and social media.

We work closely with the IRTA, which offers a fantastic facility to members on its website www.irta.ie with numerous templates and guidelines on the different requirements. If any member does not have their password to the website please get in touch directly with myself or with the IRTA office.

MG: Are there any impending changes in regulations that trainers should be aware of?

AH: Yes, from 1st January 2019 payroll details must be forwarded to the Revenue commissioners in real time – this will result in many trainers having to review and amend their payroll process. once again PA Solutions is available to discuss the changes required and to assist with this transition.

Contact Aoife Hanratty at 045 533434 or email at info@pasolutionsireland.com, or through the IRTA office.

Aoife Hanratty with husband Gerry who works for the Irish National Stud, as the foaling unit manager.

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aroline Norris / carolinenorris.ie

Irish Equine CentreJohnstown, Naas, Co. Kildare Tel: +353 (0)45 866266

www.irishequinecentre.ie

A HIGH PERFORMANCEANIMAL NEEDS A HIGH

PERFORMANCE SERVICE

Rapid equine diagnostics Bespoke equine probiotics Nutritional analysis

Water quality testing Yard biosecurity reviews Fodder storage advice

Award Winning Service

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Foreign jockeys riding in France

France Galop would like to remind trainers of the regulations when declaring non-French jockeys to ride in France, since regular errors are still being made. The stewards of France Galop therefore draw your attention to Article 43, part IV of the French Rules of Racing.

Since 1st March 2017, the French Rules of Racing require that any foreign jockey must have a licence in good order with France Galop at the latest day before the declarations of rides (article 43, IV):

“Any jockey holding an authorization to ride issued outside France who has not submitted to France Galop the information relating to his licence the day before the end of the declaration of the starters may not have the declaration of his riding validated. In addition, from two months of stay in France, all foreign jockeys must make the request for authorization to ride provided by the provisions of paragraph 2 of this article. From that date, the Commissioners of France Galop can forbid a jockey to ride if he or she has not provided all the necessary parts for approval.”

In order to accept a foreign jockey’s rides, France Galop must receive the clearance of that jockey’s horseracing authority at the latest the day before the jockey’s declaration.The stewards of France Galop also request you to note that no exception will be made to this regulation.

In order to comply and avoid the risk of being denied your chosen jockey, please contact HRI and request that clearance be sent to France Galop well in advance of the intended ride. France Galop also recommends that you follow this up by checking with the France Galop Licensing Department or with its Racing Operations Desk that the clearance of your jockey is in good order.

For further information contact HRI, or France Galop’s Dariusz Zawiejski, Licensing Department Manager, 0033 149 102030

T H E I R I S H T R A I N E R / A U G U S T 2 0 1 8

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Reach your target audience every time with our range of publications for trainers, breeders and owners.

041 971 2000 (IRE) +44 (0)1380 816777 (UK)

www.anderson-co.com

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T H E I R I S H T R A I N E R / A U G U S T 2 0 1 8

Botanica International Ltd was established in 2005 to cater for the growing awareness of natural products and to utilize the wonders of nature’s healing energy.

The Botanica range includes the Botanica Natural Herbal Cream, Cleansing Wash, Anti-Itch Cream, Small Animal Care Cream and the 5 in 1 Grooming Spray.

We have recently added a new product to our range and

it is fast becoming a must-have in all stables. An insect’s worst nightmare! Botanica Fly Spray is an all-natural spray with a unique formula which can be used on all animals deterring all insects, fleas and flies. Keeping horse and rider protected for longer.

The Botanica Fly Spray contains Tea Tree Oil, Oil of Lavender and Citronella Oil. The Fly Spray is all natural and plant-based therefore it is free from toxins, chemicals, lanolins, parabens and prohibited substances.

For more information: visit: www.botanica.ie call: 0044 (0) 28 41739151 email: enquiries@botanica.ie

Every equine practitioner knows the delicate nature of the equine gut. Several studies show that 75-89 % of horses in training have gastric ulcers. The major cause is prolonged exposure of the stomach wall to gastric acid.

Often, omeprazoles are prescribed to combat ulcers. Omeprazoles shut down gastric acid production, however, when this treatment is stopped, gastric acid levels might rise even

higher than before. Always follow up an omeprazole treatment with Cavalor© Gastro 8 to protect the stomach against acid production and prevent reoccurring stomach problems.

How CAVALOR© GASTRO 8 worksThe only natural protection that the horse’s stomach has against gastric acid comes from saliva production. Cavalor© Gastro 8 stimulates saliva production which contains substances that buffer the acidity of stomach juices. It protects the stomach wall and enhances the regeneration of the gastric epithelium so the horse will sooner be cured of gastric problems.

Distributed in Ireland by Equillence: visit: www.equillencegroup.comcall: Consumer line Ireland 086 384 7449

New products and innovations for the equine industry.

Products of the MonthBotanica Fly Spray

CAVALOR© GASTRO 8

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aroline Norris / carolinenorris.ie

For the seventh year in a row, Jim Bolger and Davy Russell will bring sporting names together to take part in the celebrity hurling match in aid of the Irish Cancer Society.

Jockeys will be picking up a hurl to challenge all-star medallists on the pitch, with household names such as Davy Fitzgerald, Niall Quinn, Brian Cody, Michael Kinane, Kevin Manning and Ursula Jacob all set to take part.

To date the event has raised €700,000 to fund the Irish Cancer Society’s innovative cancer

research projects. The Society has been able to invest €25million in cancer research since 2010 thanks to public donations.

The event kicks off at 6pm and tickets costing €10 for adults and €15 for families are currently on sale at www.cancer.ie/catalog/tickets or by phone on CallSave 1850 60 60 60.

Fans will have a chance to meet and greet their sporting idols on the night and a great night of entertainment is guaranteed.

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Top jockeys and GAA stars from around the country will be lining out for the most unique hurling fixture of the year, Hurling for Cancer Research, on Tuesday, 14 August at St Conleth’s Park, Newbridge, Co Kildare.

For more information contact Mary Ellen Breen, Irish Cancer Society, email: mbreen@irishcancer.ie or Barbara White, Head of Marketing and PR, Horse Racing Ireland, email: bwhite@hri.ie

Hurling for Cancer Research returns to St Conleth’s Park

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aroline Norris / carolinenorris.ie

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T H E I R I S H T R A I N E R / A U G U S T 2 0 1 8

UPCOMING SALES DATES1

AUGGOFFS UKThe Goodwood Sale

11 SEP

TATTERSALLS (IRE) ASCOTAscot Yearling Sale

7-8 AUG

GOFFS UKAugust Sale 2018

15 SEP

GOFFS Champions Sale 2018

14-16 AUG

TATTERSALLS IRELAND August NH Sale

18-19 SEP

GOFFS UKSeptember HIT Sale

18-20 AUG

ARQANAAugust Yearling Sale

25-26 SEP

TATTERSALLS IRELANDSeptember Yearling Sale

21AUG

TATTERSALLS (IRE) ASCOTAscot August Sale

27 SEP

TATTERSALLS IRELANDSeptember Yearling Sale PtII

21AUG

ARQANAV2 Yearling Sale

2-3 OCT

GOFFSOrby Sale

28-29 AUG

GOFFSPremier Yearling Sale

6OCT

ARQANAThe Arc Sale

30AUG

GOFFSSilver Yearling Sale

9-11 OCT

TATTERSALLSOctober Yearling Sale Book 1

IRTA.IENEWSLETTERS The IRTA monthly newsletter, The Irish Trainer, is available to members online.

INDUSTRYUPDATES This section has relevant links to press releases and information useful to IRTA members.

FORMS Industry-related downloads including;

• Weatherbys change of ownership form

• HRI trainer marketing support forms

EMPLOYMENT • Stable staff Employment guidelines.

• Employee hours and annual leave records book.

• Templates – including employment contracts and health and safety statements.

To avail of your members-only login password, please contact the IRTA office on 045 522981 or through the new office email address office@irta.ie

www.irta.ie

With so many different products available to supplement a horse’s diet, it can often be confusing to know which product should be used for a particular scenario.

This easy-to-use digital guide highlights a range of different products which can be considered for different conditions.

Products are indexed in A-Z format by condition covering key areas such as: Calming, Digestion, Gastric, Mineral / Electrolyte, Muscle - Anti Tie-Up, Muscle - Development & Nutrition - Performance.

View online at:

trainermagazine.com/supplements

Your essential guide to supplements and feeds for the thoroughbred

SUCCEED® is a registered trademark, and Equine Fecal Blood Test™ is a trademark of Freedom Health LLC. © 2018. All Rights Reserved.

U.S. Patent Nos. 7,629,180 and 8,168,446. Canadian Patent No. 2,601,368.

Photos: EQUI-PHOTO, Tammi Nowack Photography.

The SUCCEED Equine Fecal Blood Test is a quality product from Freedom Health LLC.

www.succeedfbt.co.uk

If a horse isn’t performingto potential, his

may be the real culprit.

DIGESTIVE SYSTEM

Maintaining optimal digestive health is more than just avoiding serious health issues like ulcers and colic. The horse’s digestive system is the key to his ability to train effectively and perform to potential, not to mention his overall health, temperament, physical appearance… everything.

That’s why you should have your vet test your horses regularly with the SUCCEED Equine Fecal Blood Test (FBT). The SUCCEED FBT allows your vet to assess whether a horse has an underlying GI tract condition in minutes, right on the yard.

When you know what’s going on beneath the surface, you can take action and keep the digestive system of every horse running like it should.

Ask your veterinary surgeon to test your horses with the SUCCEED® Equine Fecal Blood Test™.