The Irish industry enjoyed growth across bloodstock sales, entries, runners and field sizes in 2017, Horse Racing Ireland announced in its Irish Thoroughbred Industry Statistics released on Wednesday.
Bloodstock sales at public auction in Ireland grossed €175.6-million last year, up 7% from 2016, while export sales at public auction were down 1.8% to €268.1-million.
“2017 represented a seventh consecutive year of growth in sales, with the value of Irish bloodstock sold at public auction being €175.6-million, up 7% on the 2016 figures,” said HRI Chief Executive Brian Kavanagh. “Irish-bred horses continued to dominate at the highest levels internationally and the value of Irish-foaled exports sold at public auction was €268.1-million, with clients from 31 different countries investing in Irish bloodstock.”
Flat entries were up 10.4% and runners were up 5.7%, while average field size for flat and National Hunt combined was up 2.6% to 11.5. The number of horses in training was down just 1% at 8,488, while active owners were also down a touch (0.6%) at 3,687. New owners were down 2.7% to 686. All of these areas had, however, enjoyed growth in 2016.
“Sole owners and partnerships remain the most popular form of ownership in Ireland, however, syndicates continue to take an increasing share with growth of 5% year-on-year,” said Kavanagh. “Registered racing clubs made a significant jump with a 50% increase in the number of clubs active in 2017.”
Total tote betting was up 7.2% to €103.8-million last year; however, total on-course betting was down 6.2% to €83.1-million. Total attendance and average attendance were both similarly down, 3% (1.28-million) and 2.8% (3,589) respectively.
“The attendance figures reflect the reduced numbers at The Curragh, in particular the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby and day two of the Longines Irish Champions Weekend,” said Kavanagh. “We look forward to the completion of the redevelopment in 2019, when The Curragh will have facilities to match the world-class action on the track.”
Prizemoney and sponsorships were up last year: prizemoney climbed 7.6% to €61.1-million, while commercial sponsorships were up 3% to €4.94-million and EBF sponsorships were up 15.8% to €1.98-million.
Kavanagh concluded, “Horse racing generates a very significant return to the rural economy in Ireland and positive international profile for our country. The Sports Business Group at Deloitte, in their report into the Economic Impact of Irish Breeding and Racing 2017, published in September, estimated that the industry contributes €1.84-billion to the Irish economy, supporting directly and indirectly almost 29,000 jobs. Despite our size, we are the third-biggest producers of Thoroughbred foals in the world and estimates place Ireland only behind the United States as the biggest seller of bloodstock by public auction globally. None of this success could be achieved without the support provided by government through the Horse and Greyhound Fund, which is much appreciated.”
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