Declining Prize Money Threatens Quality of Irish Horse Racing Racing experts have suggested the quality of racing in Ireland is only going to decline as prize money is unlikely to be increased. It comes after leading trainer Ger Lyons pointed to the COLM QUINN BMW Mile Handicap at Galway last week as demonstrating the issue with Irish racing. He told Racing TV at Goodwood last week: “To me, it’s all about prize money and the day it’s not all about prize money, we’re in trouble.” “At home in Ireland, I note it’s all about the 0-70 horses and if you win a 0-70, you’re earning more than a horse placing in a Stakes race. That’s shocking. “The minute I have a winner now, Hong Kong thinks it’s a free-for-all to come in and buy it. It’s demoralising, but it’s the game we’re in until we get the prize money sorted.” “If you look at the Galway Mile (COLM QUINN BMW Mile Handicap), there were 14 runners, why? Because all the talent has been sold.” Ireland cannot compete with Hong Kong or Middle East Speaking on irishracing.com's Irish Angle show this week, Johnny Ward admitted it was difficult to see a solution to prize money issues in Ireland. “To be honest, that was one of the striking aspects of the week. The fact that race was not only below full but way below full for the history of it. “In fairness to Ger, it’s above trainers' pay grade to offer a solution. “I don't know how Ireland is going to compete with Hong Kong, where they bet like absolute maniacs, and it's like a religion practically, or the Middle East, which is basically oil money thrown at it. “I don't know how Ireland can compete because our prize money is already half propped up or more by the government. “So I don't know what the solution is. Betting is in decline partly because betting has become such a negative thing in political circles and across the media that people are running away from it; there are massive affordability checks. “Betting exchange turnover has gone way back, like massively down. I can't get over how quiet betting shops are. Betting on horse racing is in decline. Bookmakers are losing interest in racing as far as I'm concerned. “Ultimately, I don't see prize money getting any better at all in Ireland. I can see it, if anything, getting worse." Prize Money Actually Decreasing Not only is prize money not likely to increase in Ireland any time soon, in real terms, it is declining, as noted by irishracing.com editor Vincent Finegan. "The Colm Quinn BMW mile, I looked back at the prize money on that. “I think they've been sponsoring this for a decade now. The first year they sponsored it was worth €120,000. It's still worth €120,000."
