Kevin Blake is eager to emphasise the depth of talent among Irish trainers as he prepares to defend Ireland’s Racing League title.
After initial struggles in previous editions, Blake and his Irish team triumphed in the 2023 competition with a dramatic victory on the final night over Jamie Osborne’s Wales & The West at Southwell in September. This thrilling conclusion has fuelled Blake’s enthusiasm for the upcoming title defence, where he has rallied his compatriots and expanded the pool of Irish-based trainers to 41, up from 14.
“I think last year was a real coming-out party for the competition in Ireland in particular, and it made my job easier in terms of going out to recruit trainers,” said Blake.
“I would say I put in as many miles and telephone minutes as any politician trying to get as many people on board as I can and we’ve gone from 14 Irish trainers up to 41 and a really good spread of trainers.”
With notable British-based jockeys like Billy Loughnane and Rossa Ryan bolstering the team, Blake also emphasises the importance of local trainers in filling key roles.
Entering its fourth year, Blake’s enthusiasm for the Racing League remains undiminished, buoyed by Ireland’s turnaround last year and optimistic about the upcoming season.
Anticipation is high for this year’s competition, with Blake confident it will surpass previous editions in entertainment and competition.