Curragh face-lift reduces 2017 racing crowds - but growth in most areas

Crowds at race meetings across Ireland were down 3% last year, partly due to the €65m redevelopment of the Curragh Racecourse.

A 6,000 attendance limit was fixed for the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby and the Irish Champions Weekend at the Kildare venue.

A total of 18,244 flocked to the Derby in 2016 while the Champions Weekend attracted over 9,000.

Horse Racing Ireland said overall total attendance and average attendance were both similarly down in 2017 - 3% (1.28-million) and 2.8% (3,589) respectively.

Looking ahead to 2019

HRI Chief Executive Brian Kavanagh said: “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.

“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

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 industry contributes €1.84-billion to the Irish economy, supporting directly and indirectly almost 29,000 jobs."

Other statistics:

• 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.
• 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.”
• 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.
• 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.