HRI statistics show mixed results for Irish racing in 2023

HRI’s statistics for Irish racing in 2023 reveal a mixed year for the industry with on-course betting, commercial sponsorship and the value of bloodstock sales at public auction all showing an increase compared to last year while attendances, total runners and field sizes as well as the number of new owners are all down slightly on 2022 figures.

Total on-course betting, including Tote, rose to €80.5m in 2023, an increase of 5.9%. Bookmaker betting on-course increased by the same percentage to €69.8m, a figure comprising €59.9m, up 5.1%, in the betting ring and a turnover of €9.9m in the on-course SP shops, up 11.2% on the previous year.

Total Tote betting, incorporating the World Pool meetings at the Curragh on Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby Day in early July and the opening day of the Irish Champions Festival at Leopardstown in September, has risen by 9.6% to €78m. Betting on-course with Tote is up by 5.6% to €10.7m. Off-course betting receipts amounted to €102.6m, a slight increase on last year’s figure of €102m.

There is a significant rise in the figures relating to commercial sponsorship which rose by 8.8% to €6.3m with EBF sponsorship coming in at €2.67m, up 3.1% on last year. Bloodstock sales at public auction increased by 7.5% to €231.5m, the value of Irish-foaled export horses sold through auction is €333.7m while the number of countries to which Irish-foaled horses were sold at auction was 33.

The cost of living crisis has probably had an impact in some areas with the total number of owners falling by 1.2% to 4,698, although the number of syndicates has risen by 4% to 858. The number of new owners is down by 1.6% to 805.

The total number of horses-in-training is up 2.3% to 10,444 but the figure for total runners was down 3.6% to 33,542 with the average field size down the same percentage at 11.66.

The total reported attendance figure of 1.236m was down 1% with the number of fixtures unchanged at 388.

Prize money rose by 2.1% to €68.12m while there was great success abroad with an increase of over 40% to Stg£16.74m in the prize money won by Irish-trained horses in Britain, with €10.39m won by our horses in the rest of the world, up almost 31% on the previous year.

The 2023 economic impact report, carried out on behalf of HRI by Deloitte, shows that Irish racing and breeding attracts over €550m in foreign direct investment each year.

Suzanne Eade, CEO of Horse Racing Ireland, said: “These figures more than demonstrate that the Irish racing and breeding industry remains in a strong position despite recent challenges and the cost-of-living crisis that now extends into its third year.

“Each has posed a particular threat and yet, with the support of Government and the industry’s continued ability to attract foreign direct investment, the figures continue to hold up. A rise in the owner retention rate and in the number of horses-in-training point to a healthy product and will drive employment within the sector.

“Reported attendances in 2023 fell back by just under 1% to 1.236m. However, it was hugely encouraging that attendances at the major festivals were strong throughout the year.”