Following the successful introduction of One Fit Padded Hurdles to Ireland, Wexford Racecourse have become the latest Racecourse to upgrade from traditional birched hurdles. In October 2019 Cork Racecourse became the first Irish Racecourse to make the switch to padded hurdles following the successful trial of them at the Curragh earlier in the year.
At the trial Willie Mullins stated: “I think the One Fit Hurdles are the way to go in the future and I’m looking forward to them being used on our (Irish) Racecourses.” As well as being beneficial to horse welfare, One Fit Padded Hurdles have fewer breakages, reducing maintenance costs.
Since they were first implemented at Newton Abbot Racecourse in 2013 they have grown in popularity and are now used at 14 Racecourses across the UK and Ireland.