Horse Racing Ireland has announced a number of changes to the Irish Flat Pattern programme for 2013.

Horse Racing Ireland has announced a number of changes to the Irish Flat Pattern programme for 2013 which includes two races being upgraded.

HRI also announced an increase to the fillies' allowance which will rise from 3lb to 5lb following an analysis of all fillies in Listed races for the past three years. HRI's director of racing Jason Morris said: "HRI is committed to encouraging the greater participation and retention of mares for racing and then breeding in Ireland, with a prime focus always on trying to improve quality. "The move to increase the fillies' allowance by 2lb in Listed races should further this objective. "Following on from the many initiatives already being undertaken in the National Hunt sphere, this change will provide a significant boost to the Flat breeding industry and will hopefully encourage more owners, both domestically and internationally, to put fillies in training in Ireland."