This section provides a specific overview of the significant contribution of horse racing to County Kildare, where the industry generates €557 million in expenditure and provides 4,535 jobs. Known as ‘The Thoroughbred County’, Kildare is home to the headquarters of Irish Flat racing at The Curragh – where all five Irish Classics are run - as well as Punchestown and Naas racecourses. The Curragh training grounds offer 80 miles of gallops where over 50 trainers train approximately 1,000 horses. The Irish National Stud in Kildare town is a world-famous tourist attraction and welcomed 150,000 visitors in 2023. There are 744 breeders and 76 trainers based in the county, and bloodstock sales of €119 million.
