Six-month statistics for horse racing and breeding in Ireland show gains in the areas of attendances and betting but a levelling off of a number of other figures when compared to the same period last year. 

The figures for the first half of 2023, released today by Horse Racing Ireland (HRI), show that attendances, prize money, race sponsorship and betting with bookmakers and Tote, both on and off-course, are ahead of where they were this time last year, with slight reductions in the number of fixtures, races, entries, total runners and average field sizes.  

The figures, which run to Sunday July 2, the final day of the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby festival at the Curragh, show reported attendances of 544,147, an increase of 7.6% on the first six months of 2022. Total race sponsorship is up 4.8% to €4.4m with horses winning overall prize money of €30.6m, up 1% despite a reduction in the number of race meetings by two to 176. 

Total Tote Betting (excluding World Pools) for the first half of the year is up 6.3% at €33.9m. The World Pool was incorporated at the Curragh on Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby Day for the first time with 28 pool betting operators from around the globe wagering an additional €25.8m across the eight races. Total on-course betting reached €36.1m with on-course bookmakers handling €32.1m and on-course shops returning an overall figure of €4.4m. 

The total number of horses-in-training during the period rose by almost 300 to 8,614 (up 3.3%), but the number of active owners fell by the same percentage to 3,843. The number of new owners registered in the first half of 2023 was 455. 

While the Goffs Punchestown Sale and the Tattersalls Ireland Breeze-up Sale performed well and there was a strong demand at the store sales, the figure for Bloodstock Sales at Public auction overall fell by 2.4% to €61m. 

Suzanne Eade, CEO of Horse Racing Ireland, said:

“I welcome these figures as a testament to the resilience of the Irish racing and breeding industry. On the back of consistent Government support, our industry continues to be a key contributor to rural communities in virtually every county, providing direct and indirect employment at every turn and a vital social outlet to so many people. 

“Despite the increases in the cost of living, it is noticeable how well the number of horses-in-training is holding up and the increase in the overall attendance figure by 7.6% is certainly to be welcomed. Pushing for increased attendances at all 26 racecourses is a key aspect of our ongoing marketing campaigns and the undoubted interest in racing is again resulting in a greater number of racegoers, a trend we hope to see continuing into next week’s Galway Festival and the key early autumn meetings at Irish Champions Festival and the Listowel Festival.

“Field sizes, whilst still bearing very healthy international comparisons, are down marginally and it is vital that there is continued investment in the racing programme and prize money to ensure that we continue to attract and retain owners.

“The increase in the betting, both with Tote and the bookmakers, is a further boost for the industry.  For the first time, we have two World Pool days, one in each half of the year, and on the back of the success of the initiative at the Curragh on Derby Day, we can look forward to Irish racing being back in the international spotlight for the opening leg of the 2023 Irish Champions Festival at Leopardstown in a little over six weeks’ time. These days both raise awareness of the Tote and deliver a significant return to Irish racing. 

“Another vote of confidence in the industry is provided by the numbers relating to the sale of horses at public auction. While an overall spend of €61m is slightly behind the same period last year, it is heartening that demand for Irish bred and reared horses continues to be strong across the board.”

CLICK HERE FOR 2023 SIX-MONTH IRISH THOROUGHBRED RACING INDUSTRY STATISTICS

I welcome these figures as a testament to the resilience of the Irish racing and breeding industry is. On the back of consistent Government support, our industry continues to be a key contributor to rural communities in virtually every county, providing direct and indirect employment at every turn and a vital social outlet to so many people.