Rise in Irish attendances and betting turnover during first half of 2019

Despite criticism of poor Curragh crowds for the three Classics run this season, attendances at Irish fixtures rose by almost nine per cent during the first six months of the year compared to the same period in 2018.

The total attendance at Irish meetings from the start of January to the end of June was 555,475, compared to 510,337 in 2018, but it is worth taking into account there was a restricted attendance at the Curragh during renovations last year.

The average attendance rose by 6.2 per cent from 3,150 to 3,346, with the Dublin Racing Festival at Leopardstown playing its part in that upturn in fortunes.

Statistics released on Thursday by Horse Racing Ireland for the first six months of 2019 made for pleasant reading with healthy increases in numerous sectors, perhaps most notably an 11.5 per cent rise in turnover for on-course bookmakers.

On-course betting rose €3 million to €29.1m over the six-month period compared with 2018, and although Tote betting remained down overall the on-track Tote figures rose by 5.4 per cent. Betting turnover in on-course SP shops increased by 9.7 per cent.

On-course betting rose by 11.5 per cent in the first six months of the yearCredit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

There was good news on the ownership front as well with the retention rate hitting a ten-year high of 87 per cent.

New owner registrations were up by nine per cent with 484 new owners registering with Horse Racing Ireland – the highest figure since 2008. This contributed to an increase in horses in training of 3.5 per cent in the same period and an increase in field sizes.

Individual runners were up by nine per cent to 5,217 and individual runners who won prize-money were up by six per cent.

Total race sponsorship continued to rise strongly, building on growth in 2018 to post an increase of 12.8 per cent in the first half of the year.

Commenting on the figures, Brian Kavanagh, the HRI chief executive, said: "It is very encouraging that figures for the first six months demonstrate increased participation rates across the ownership spectrum, more horses in training, and people coming to the races in bigger numbers and enjoying the wonderful product we have.

“We have worked hard on bringing new owners into Irish racing and then, with the racecourses, ensuring that the ownership experience was positive so that the retention rate of our ownership base was high. It is pleasing therefore to see the rates of new owners and owner retention performing at ten-year highs."

Brian Kavanagh: 'Ownership has been a key focus for Horse Racing Ireland'Credit: Caroline Norris (racingpost.com/photos)

Kavanagh added: "Ownership has been a key focus for Horse Racing Ireland and among the policy approaches has been increased prize-money [up 6.9 per cent], increased opportunities for every strand of owner, reduced costs and, this year, to ensure that prize-money filters down to six places.

"Particular credit must go to our ownership team who work with racecourses on the ownership experience, run marketing support programmes for trainers and organised the inaugural and hugely successful trainers’ open morning in May."

Looking ahead to the Brexit cloud that is fast approaching, Kavanagh said: "The challenges in terms of movement of animals, customs and tariffs, and potential protectionism that Brexit will visit upon us, could have detrimental consequences.

"We continue to work on behalf of the industry with our international racing colleagues, politicians and officials both in Ireland and in Brussels."

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