There are several reasons why top national Hunt owners choose to have their horses trained in Ireland rather than in the UK:

Reputation: Ireland has a long-standing reputation for producing top-quality National Hunt horses and trainers. Many of the most successful trainers in the sport, such as Willie Mullins, Gordon Elliott, Henry De Bromhead and Jessica Harrington, are based in Ireland.

Prize money: The prize money for National Hunt races in Ireland is generally higher than in the UK. This means that owners have the potential to earn more money if their horses are successful in Irish races.

Racing schedule: The National Hunt racing calendar in Ireland is structured differently than in the UK. This allows trainers to space out their horses’ races more effectively and avoid competing against each other too frequently.

Training facilities: Ireland has some of the best training facilities in the world, with many trainers having access to state-of-the-art equipment and top-class gallops.

Climate: Ireland’s mild, damp climate is ideal for breeding and training horses, particularly for National Hunt racing, which requires horses to have strong lungs and a robust constitution.

Overall, the combination of these factors makes Ireland an attractive destination for top National Hunt owners who want to give their horses the best possible chance of success.