HRI Confirms Irish EBF Academy Hurdle Race Dates

Horse Racing Ireland (HRI) has put out the dates and places for the Stallion Farms Irish EBF Academy Hurdle races. This new plan helps grow the young list of Irish National Hunt races, which includes three three-year-olds. From October to December 2025, there will be seven races. The first one starts on October 12 at Cork Racecourse.

The following six races will be at known places such as Fairyhouse, Punchestown, Navan, Naas, and Leopardstown. Each of these races will span over two miles and will have about 10 hurdles. The series is specifically open to horses that have not previously run under Rules or I.N.H.S. Rules, apart from prior participation in Academy Hurdle events.

Horse Racing Ireland (HRI) has put out the dates and places for the Stallion Farms Irish EBF Academy Hurdle races. The first one starts on October 12 at Cork Racecourse. The following six races will be at known places such as Fairyhouse, Punchestown, Navan, Naas, and Leopardstown. Each of these races will span over two miles and will have about 10 hurdles. The series is specifically open to horses that have not previously run under Rules or I.N.H.S. Rules, apart from prior participation in Academy Hurdle events.

According to Jonathan Mullin, Director of Racing at HRI, the Academy Hurdle series was created to give three-year-olds an appropriate setting to gain racing experience. The eligibility rules allow these horses to continue in bumpers, maiden hurdles, or point-to-point races after taking part in the series.

A key component of the programme is the inclusion of a sales voucher system, similar to what is used in other Irish EBF schemes. Each race in the series will reward the winning owner with a 5,000 voucher. The second-placed and third-placed owners will receive 3,000 and 2,000 vouchers, respectively. These vouchers are intended for use toward the purchase of qualified Irish-bred horses at approved sales.

In an added boost for connections of young fillies, the Irish Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association (ITBA) has extended its support to the Academy Hurdle programme. All races in the series will be included in the Weatherbys list of Irish National Hunt races Fillies Bonus Scheme, in partnership with The Irish Field. This allows any Irish-bred filly that wins one of the 2025 Academy Hurdles to receive an additional 7,500 bonus, separate from the standard prize money and sales voucher.

Eligible fillies that go on to win a bumper or a steeplechase after success in the Academy Hurdle will remain qualified for an extra 5,000 bonus under the same scheme. However, this follow-on reward does not apply to maiden hurdles.

This added level of support for fillies aims to provide more value to breeders and owners investing in a young list of Irish National Hunt races prospects. It also encourages trainers to give early-season race opportunities to fillies that might otherwise begin their careers in less structured settings.

The Stallion Farms Irish EBF Academy Hurdle programme reflects ongoing cooperation between HRI, the Irish EBF, and industry bodies to support racing opportunities at entry-level. It gives owners a defined path for three-year-olds who are just beginning their progression into jump racing.

By limiting entries to untried horses, each race provides a fair starting point, while the rewards tied to Irish breeding and sales create additional value for participants. HRI has designed the series to run over the autumn months, giving connections sufficient time to prepare their runners and plan future campaigns.

With a mix of top-tier tracks and consistent race conditions, the programme is expected to appeal across a broad range of stables. Full race conditions, along with updates on entries and prize funds, will be published on the HRI website and in race planning bulletins as the series approaches.

The first race at Cork Racecourse in October will serve as the launch point for what could be a valuable stepping stone for many young jumpers in training this year.