Barrier Trials

Irish Thoroughbred Marketing, with the backing of the Irish EBF and the IHRB, stages Barrier Trials on several occasions each year to meet the strong demand from overseas for quality unraced thoroughbreds out of Ireland.

Trials will return in 2024. More info on this page and on ITM social media in due course.

General Information

  • Unraced 2yos and 3yos only.
  • Run over between five and seven and a half furlongs, depending on the racecourse.
  • Entry fee €210.
  • Mandatory provision of €100 for Jockeys.
  • Horses entered must be returned in training with licensed Trainers.
  • Horses ridden by licensed Jockeys, including apprentices.
  • Riders will not weigh out or in, but connections are asked that horses carry a minimum weight of 9-7.
  • Horses must be named.
  • Horses must have a starting stalls certificate.
  • Trials begin from starting stalls as in official races.
  • No onus or incentive to achieve a best possible placing.
  • No prize money.
  • Trials recorded, timed, and made available to view online.
  • Live stream available on ITM YouTube.
  • Terms and conditions apply.

Please note, ITM wishes to accept entries from every stable and it is possible trainers planning larger numbers of entries will be asked to bear this in mind. Trainers who have been the biggest supporters of Barrier Trials to date will be granted the largest pro rata share of entries, provided every other stable can enter.

  • Unraced 2yos and 3yos only.
  • Run over between five and seven and a half furlongs, depending on the racecourse.
  • Minimum 60 entries for Trials to go ahead.
  • Horses entered must be returned in training with licensed Trainers.  
  • Horses ridden by licensed Flat Jockeys, including apprentices.
  • Riders will not weigh out or in, but connections are asked that horses carry a minimum weight of 9-7.
  • Horses entered must be named.
  • Horses must have a valid starting stalls certificate.
  • Trials begin from starting stalls as in official races.
  • Vaccinations must be in order and in compliance with the Rules of Racing. Horses whose historic vaccinations were cleared by the IHRB before July 1 2020 must have new vaccinations uploaded to the Weatherbys Vaccinations E-Passport App. Horses whose vaccinations have not yet been digitally cleared by the IHRB must have them uploaded to the same App.
  • Passports must still travel with each horse and be available for inspection by IHRB staff. Horses without passports will not be allowed to take part. 
  • Trainers who enter a horse in a Barrier Trial do so in the knowledge that the IHRB may take a biological sample for analysis in accordance with the Rules of Racing. In the event of an adverse analytical finding, the Trainer acknowledges and confirms that they are subject to the Rules of Racing and may be subject to disciplinary action in relation to any breach of these Rules. Medications such as Gastrogard and Regumate are prohibited, for example.
  • Horses taking part must be at the stabling block at least one hour before their Barrier Trial.   
  • Horses, Trainers, and Riders acknowledge and confirm that in participating in the Barrier Trials they are subject to the Rules of Racing and that any breach of same during the Barrier Trials may result in disciplinary action for any licensee concerned.
  • Trainers and Riders will ensure horses are tacked up and ready to leave the parade ring to go to the start at the appropriate time.
  • Participation in a Barrier Trial will cost €210, payable in advance from the owner's accounts with HRI, with a further €100 payment for the Rider.
  • Entries not permitted where the owner/breeder associated with the horse has an outstanding Foal Levy debt.
  • Owner colours must be worn for the purposes of identification for the commentator and prospective buyers.
  • Trials recorded, timed, and made available to view online.
  • ITM wishes to accept entries from every stable and it is possible trainers planning larger numbers of entries will be asked to bear this in mind. Trainers who have been the biggest supporters of Barrier Trials to date will be granted the largest pro rata share of entries, provided every other stable can enter first.

Entries can be made via the 'Make an Entry' tab above. For further enquiries contact [email protected] or call Jeremy Greene at 00353 (0)87 112 1625.

The last Irish EBF Barrier Trials of 2023 took place at Dundalk Stadium on Tuesday 5 September 2023.

Trials will return in 2024. More info on this page and on ITM social media in due course.

For more information, contact [email protected] or call Jeremy Greene on 00353 (0)87 112 1625.




Get In Touch

To find out more please call or email us and we will be happy to help.

Call: +353 (0) 45443060 Email: [email protected]