Please note that all horses purchased from Ireland will require an Export Certificate:

GUIDELINES IF YOU ARE BUYING HORSES FROM IRELAND and the need for an EXPORT CERTIFICATE

In January 2016, the IHRA opted to become independent of STAGBI and now register Standardbreds in Ireland via Sports Horse Ireland.
Furthermore, the IHRA have requested that all Standardbred horses in Ireland that are registered with STAGBI are exported from STAGBI to IHRA. The process has been repeatedly outlined in STAGBI Newsletters/website/social media etc.

Now we need to inform British owners what they need to do if they buy a horse from Ireland, this includes Irish registered horses entered for sales. In essence, the horse needs to be exported from the IHRA Studbook and Database into the STAGBI Studbook and Database. Please note, if you are purchasing a horse to race, currently the complete process may take 2 weeks or more.

There are a few different scenarios:

1. If a British buyer purchases a STAGBI registered horse that has already been exported to IHRA (i.e. holds a STAGBI passport that has been over-stamped by IHRA)
This horse will have been removed from STAGBI database, so needs to be re-instated with STAGBI. You will need to apply to the IHRA for an Export Certificate. Currently as part of the export process, the IHRA require that the passport is submitted to IHRA office in Cork to process the transfer of ownership. Then you will need to apply to STAGBI to register the horse with STAGBI. The passport is again required for over-stamping by STAGBI. The IHRA application for export form and the application to re-register with STAGBI form are available on STAGBI website or via STAGBI office.

2. If a British buyer purchases an IHRA registered horse (i.e. never registered with STAGBI and holds an IHRA passport)
Process exactly as above. Once horse is registered, breeding details etc will be included on STAGBI Breeding website.

3. If a British buyer purchases a horse from Ireland that has a STAGBI passport but has not been exported to IHRA
British buyer should submit transfer of ownership form to STAGBI as per usual.

If you are uncertain of the horses status as regards STAGBI/IHRA, please contact STAGBI or IHRA for assistance on how to proceed.

STAGBI Contact:
Website – www.standardbred.org
Email – info@standardbred.org
Phone – 01570 423377 or 07851 438805

IHRA Contact:
Website – www.irishharnessracing.com
Email – info@irishharnessracing.com
Phone – 0035315310365