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| Staff Writer |
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Leopardstown CEO Tim Husbands suggests that greater collaboration between Irish, British, and French racetracks, along with closer ties with international bodies like the Japan Racing Association, could attract more global stars to Europe's top races.
Husbands also recognises the challenges in attracting contenders from Asia due to lower prize money. Despite this, there is optimism that Yoshito Yahagi will bring Shin Emperor to compete in the Royal Bahrain Irish Champion Stakes and the Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.
Husbands emphasises the need for a more comprehensive offering to owners and trainers from Japan, Hong Kong, Australia, and other regions.
Leopardstown, along with Ascot, Goodwood, York, and the Jockey Club, formed a joint committee with the Japan Racing Association (JRA) chaired by the BHA's Joe Saumarez Smith last year. The goal of this committee is to strengthen cooperation and increase participation of runners from each other's top races.
"We all fight our own corners and we all try to position ourselves the best way we can," said Husbands, adding:
"But probably the best way forward is to have a coordinated approach and to have the French officials involved in that, to look at how can we now have the European racing calendar positioned in the right way so that we can provide the best opportunities for international entries?
"We can all fight our own corner and hopefully we’ll have success in this regard in September, but it’s why the initiative with the JRA and other horseracing authorities is important, so that we can have a coordinated narrative to provide the race trails for potential entries. We have to make it as easy as possible for them to come."
Husbands expressed excitement about the initial 50-strong entry for the Irish Champion Stakes, considering it to be a significant renewal of the race. He highlighted Double Superlative and See It Again as beneficiaries of the recent relaxation of quarantine rules to and from South Africa.
Additionally, Husbands mentioned that Deirdre in 2019 was the first and last Japanese-trained runner at Leopardstown's Irish Champions Day meeting.
He highlighted the considerable effort in establishing international relationships to ensure that specific races are considered when the right horses are available.
"I think, particularly in the context of the Irish Champion Stakes and Irish Champions Festival, it’s important for us to maintain a race of international status," said Husbands.
"We came sixth last year in terms of rankings for the Longines World’s Top 100 Races and we’ve made strenuous efforts over the last two or three years to build those relationships with Japanese owners and trainers, taking every opportunity that we can to do that.
"Whether that is meeting them in Europe, in Dubai and Saudi and then going over to Japan and meet them on their home territory. I think it’s really important to build those personal relationships and a level of trust."