European Breeders' Fund

High Value Developmental Races on the Flat will continue this season, with 76 races programmed to strengthen the British racing and breeding industry. The novice and maiden races are run with enhanced prize-money to support domestic breeding and encourage the purchase and racing of young talent in Britain. The programme of high value races is possible thanks to the support of British Stallion Studs (European Breeders' Fund), Darley, Juddmonte and Tattersalls, who combine with the BHA Development Fund to provide financial support for the initiative. The first High Value Developmental...

Sam Sheppard CBE, former chief executive of both the Thoroughbred Breeders' Association (TBA) and the European Breeders' Fund (EBF), died on Friday evening at his home in Suffolk. He was 84. His tenure at the TBA ran from 1973 to 1989 and during that time Sheppard was instrumental in setting up the EBF along with the late Peter Willett and Bob McCreery. He remained at the helm of the EBF, which is still going strong more than 40 years later, until his retirement at the end of 2012. By that...

The deadline to nominate yearlings to the European Breeders' Fund (EBF) by a stallion not registered to the EBF is Saturday, May 31. This nomination stage largely relates to yearlings by stallions standing in the US and requires a registration fee to be paid of $600. "Owners and breeders looking to either campaign a horse in Europe or sell, should check that it is EBF nominated as over 80% of two-year-old maiden races are confined to EBF-qualified horses," said the EBF's Kerry Murphy. "The EBF is contributing over €6 million...

The British EBF has released details of its programme for 2025, featuring 700 races and £2 million of contributions to horse racing's prize-money from 35 British stallion studs. Headlining the Flat racing initiatives is the British EBF 2yo Series, with a total prize fund of £2.3 million and two finals. They will each be worth £100,000, with the fillies' race set to take place at Goodwood on Wednesday, September 24, before the colts and geldings take centre stage at York on Friday, October 10. Over 170 restricted maiden and novice...

Ninety years after the birth of the Italian champion racehorse and influential sire Nearco (Ity), Mattia Cadrobbi has been appointed as the new president of the Fondo Italiano dell'Allevamento (Italian Breeding Fund), succeeding the Marquis Annibale Brivio Sforza after his 30 years in the role. Cadrobbi is a former president of the Italian Thoroughbred Breeders' Association (ANAC). Cadrobbi, whose appointment also coincided with the 40th anniversary of the foundation of the FIA, is joined on the Board of Directors by vice president Alessandra Vigliani, who is responsible for Ticino Bloodstock....

The British wing of the European Breeders' Fund (EBF) has announced its contribution of more than £2 million towards prize-money in Britain for 2024. The funds are raised through contributions made annually by British stallion owners.  Along with its backing of more than 700 races on the Flat, the British EBF will lend extra support in certain areas this year, including an injection of £325,000 for novice and maiden races for two- and three-year-olds as part of a wider project with the BHA, Levy Board, Darley, Juddmonte and Tattersalls. The...

The deadline to register 2-year-olds to the European Breeders Fund by a stallion not registered to the EBF is Friday, June 30. "Owners and trainers looking to campaign a horse in Europe should check that it is EBF nominated as over 80% of 2-year-old maiden/novice races are confined to EBF eligibles," said Kerry Murphy of the EBF said. "Once eligible, horses can compete for a pool of over €5million available in added prizemoney throughout Europe, including the valuable series being staged in GB and Ireland. This nomination stage largely relates...

A new website for the European Breeders' Fund, which celebrates its 40th anniversary in 2023, launched this week. The site offers a better user experience with improved search capabilities for owners and trainers, and dedicated pages for each member country detailing their Trustees, race programmes and news. "The 40th anniversary of the European Breeders Fund is a good time to refresh the website and include more information on each member country," Kerry Murphy, CEO of the European Breeders' Fund, said. "The EBF is putting more funds into prizemoney than ever...

Ballylinch Stud's John O'Connor has been named the new Chairman of the European Breeders' Fund. He replaces Philip Freedman, who served two terms in that role. O'Connor, who has also been Chairman of the Irish EBF and ITBA in the past, said, "I am delighted to take on the Chairmanship of the EBF in its 40th year. The EBF plays a significant role in supporting the racing industry at many levels. Due to the calibre of stallions that now stand in Europe and through the commitment of stallion farms large...

A horse for 2022: Raclette (GB) (Frankel {GB}--Emollient, by Empire Maker), with Andre Fabre. First season or proven: Proven. Speed or stamina: If I had horses in training an Ascot Gold Cup winner would be the dream, so stamina. Eat out or home cooking: Both; but eating out has become way too expensive. Newspaper or podcast: Newspaper, and sometimes even in print. Ascot or Longchamp: Ascot in June and July, Longchamp in April and October (I'm spoilt!). Walk in the country or art gallery: A walk in the country every...

Entries for the Aug. 18 Irish EBF Barrier Trials at Dundalk close at 5 p.m. GMT on Wednesday, Aug. 11, Irish Thoroughbred Marketing announced on Tuesday. Backed by the Irish European Breeders' Fund and the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board and operated by ITM, the trials-which begin at 12 p.m.--are open to unraced 2-year-olds and 3-year-olds over five, six and seven furlongs. Recent graduates of the programme include G3 Gordon S. hero Ottoman Emperor (Ire) (Excelebration {Ire}) and Listed Yeomanstown Stud Irish EBF S. winner Wren's Breath (Ire) (Elzaam {Aus}). A...

The field for the 24-strong €300,000 Irish EBF Ballyhane S. was revealed on Friday. Led by the unbeaten Sacred Bridge (GB) (Bated Breath {GB}), the race will begin at 2:25 p.m. at Naas Racecourse on Aug. 2. Her Ger Lyons stablemate Recurrent Dream (Ire) (Elzaam {Aus}) sports a win over the course and distance, and they will be joined in the lineup by their yardmate Jarvis (Ire) (Profitable {Ire}). The Brighton winner Dusky Prince (Ire) (Prince Of Lir {Ire}) and the aforementioned Recurrent Dream are both running for the €50,000...