The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic was laid bare in Irish racing's 2020 figures, which were revealed by Horse Racing Ireland on Friday. The resilience of owners was a rare bright spot, with ownership remaining static and down just 0.5% in a year where owners largely could not go racing. Owner retention from 2019 to 2020 stood at 73.6%, down 1.5% from the previous year, and the number of racing clubs rose 6%. The number of horses in training in Ireland also rose for the fourth time in five years, and was up 3.3% at 9,248.
“The figures for the numbers of horses-in-training continued to grow year-on-year and this says so much about those involved in racehorse ownership,” said Brian Kavanagh, chief executive of Horse Racing Ireland. “It is a testament to their resilience in the face of very challenging circumstances that they continue to stand by the industry and we look forward to a time when we can safely welcome owners–and obviously racegoers–back to our racetracks. Owners' ongoing support is felt across the board and the numbers of horses in racing yards directly reflects on employment levels within the industry and on widespread economic activity in rural Ireland.”
Racecourse attendance was down 91.1%, and on-course betting 89.1%; racing has been staged behind closed doors in Ireland since its resumption on June 8 with the exception of a small number of fixtures that owners were allowed to attend. Prizemoney dipped 23.4% to €50.58-million; however, prizemoney won by Irish horses in the rest of the world (excluding the UK) was up 47.6%. Public auctions were also severely impacted by the pandemic, with the calendar riddled by date and venue changes, with some sales forced entirely online and international visitors impacted by quarantines and travel restrictions. As such, bloodstock sales at public auction were down 35.4% to €106.7-million.
“Like many other sectors, the Irish horse racing and breeding industry had a difficult 2020 and while there are some positives, effectively any comparison with previous years is futile,” said Kavanagh. “The continued absence of attendances is having a significant impact on racecourses. We acknowledge the hardship endured by on-course bookmakers, Tote, caterers and the many other businesses that depend on racecourses and racegoers, and Horse Racing Ireland and the Association of Irish Racecourses are eager to welcome everyone back once it is deemed appropriate by the Government.”
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