Horse Racing Ireland Announce 6-Month Figures - Racecourse Attendances Bounce Back - - Horses in Training Show Further Decline - Horse Racing Ireland today released the Irish racing industry figures for the six months to 30th June 2010, which reveal positive signs in relation to racecourse attendances, but a continuing decline in the number of horses currently in training. Commenting on the figures, Brian Kavanagh, Chief Executive, Horse Racing Ireland (HRI) said: - “The most pleasing aspect of 2010 to date has been the recovery in racecourse attendances. Whilst they were down by 13,582 (an average of 12%) for the first three months of the year, the second quarter saw a return to growth with total crowds up by 11,579 (or an average of 3%). In the challenging economic environment, this reflects great credit on the efforts of racecourses to offer value for money packages and added entertainment. Initiatives such as Limerick’s Student Day, the continuing Bulmers Summer Evening Series at Leopardstown and the Curragh’s Friday music evenings have produced impressive results, while the major festivals such as Fairyhouse and Cork at Easter, Punchestown and the Derby meeting have all performed well. The Tote’s turnover is also close to last year’s levels (down 3% overall), although on-course Bookmaker betting (down 14%) remains under pressure”. In the first six months of 2010, a total of 9,597 horses were returned in training, a drop of 2%. 5,691 of these made it to the track, representing a total 14,219 runners in the period. Brian Kavanagh continued: “With prize money down by a further 7% to date this year, a fall in entries (down 17%) and runners (down 5%) was to be expected. However, the most worrying trend is an accelerating decline in the number of horses in training. From January to March the figure was on a par with last year, but each month since has seen a greater decline, with the numbers down 5% in April, 7% in May and 10% at the end of June. A significant reduction in horse numbers can regrettably only mean a further decline in employment levels throughout the industry. This reflects an industry under continuing pressure which urgently requires a long-term funding solution to preserve vital rural jobs”. In conclusion, Brian Kavanagh stated: “The highlight of the first six months of 2010 was the commitment by An Taoiseach to put in place a long term and secure funding system. This is essential to ensure that the Irish racing and breeding industry retains its world ranking and we are actively working with Government to this end”. On the racetrack, the on-going investment in the industry continues to pay dividends, with continued high profile international Irish successes for both our equine and human stars. In the National Hunt arena the highlight of the year was the seven Irish winners at the Cheltenham Festival, including Big Zeb’s impressive success over compatriot Forpadydeplasterer in the Queen Mother Champion Chase. Along with the Irish trained winners, there were sixteen Irish bred winners of which 8 were Grade 1's, including all the Grade 1 chases. Ruby Walsh was crowned Leading Cheltenham Festival jockey yet again, while HRI’s National Hunt Ambassador, trainer Willie Mullins, took the National Hunt Festival at Punchestown by storm, racking up a dozen victories for the second year in a row. On the Flat, trainer Dermot Weld’s Rite Of Passage continued Irish dominance of the Ascot Gold Cup, registering the fifth consecutive Irish success in the feature race at Royal Ascot. Along with Bethrah and Chinese White, the Master of Rosewell has landed three Group 1 races so far this season. Reigning Champion jockey Johnny Murtagh enjoyed another great week at the Royal meeting, numbering among his successes top grade victories on board Lillie Langtry and Starspangledbanner for his boss Aidan O’Brien, who landed an unprecedented fifth consecutive Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby as Cape Blanco led home a Ballydoyle clean sweep in the event. 2010 2009 Difference Total Fixtures 154 153 1% Total Races 1095 1080 1% Total Prize Money €21.5m €23.1m -7% Total Sponsorship €2.2m €2.7m -17% Total Attendance 496,305 498,308 0% Avg. Attendance 3,223 3,257 -1% Total Entries 33,711 40,856 -17% Total Eliminations 5,370 9,105 -41% Total Runners 14,219 14,953 -5% Total Individual Runners 5,691 5,878 -3% Total Horses in Training 9,597 9,808 -2% Horses in Training (30th June) 6,375 7,081 -10% Total Bookmaker Betting €55.3m €64.1m -14% Total Tote Betting €20.7m €21.4m -3% Tote - Irish Pools €17.3m €17.7m -2% Tote - Co-Mingling Out €3.5m €3.7m -5%
