horse racing in Ireland

The Irish EBF has increased its contribution to prizemoney to €2.5-million for 2020, its highest-ever contribution since its establishment in 1983. The Irish EBF is working closely with Horse Racing Ireland to support the restart of racing on June 8 by ensuring all funds--including those not distributed during the suspension of racing--are allocated and the remaining prizemoney is assigned with a focus on grassroots races throughout the rest of the year. John O'Connor, chairman of the Irish EBF, said, "Prizemoney is the lifeblood of racing and supports owners, trainers, jockeys...

Horse Racing Ireland has released its full Flat programme for June and its July fixture list. The release included news of the Galway Festival, which will be run on its original dates of July 27 to August 2 but with some changes. The opening two days and the final two days of the meeting will feature Flat racing only, with National Hunt racing on the three cards in between. Racing in Ireland resumes on June 8 with a meeting at Naas. Jason Morris, HRI's director of racing, said, "We recognise...

In this weirdest of times, the European turf flat season re-emerges in cautious defiance to the world's rampaging virus with the Kildare circuit of Naas the centre of all focus. As usual, the Irish season kicks off with a card featuring the G3 Lodge Park Stud Irish EBF Park Express S. for fillies and mares which might just be the only G1 1000 Guineas trial to be run for some time if the country follows the lead of some others and commits to lockdown. For now, we can enjoy the...

Horse Racing Ireland has detailed its plans to grow the racing and breeding industries in the country over a five-year period. The organization's strategic plan for 2020-2024 seeks to grow the economic contribution of the industry to €2.5-billion, total sustainable employment to 35,000, racecourse attendance to 1.5-million, fixtures to 416 and minimum race value to €12,500. The plan also includes a second all-weather track at Tipperary, a redeveloped equine campus at the Irish Equine Centre and education and training programmes for the workforce. "The most recent analysis shows that for...

Dubai Duty Free has extended its sponsorship of the G1 Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby by a further two years, and added five additional races to its sponsorship portfolio, which will see prizemoney at this year's Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby Festival on June 26 to 28 rise to €2.25-million from €2-million. In 2021, all races at the festival will be worth a minimum of €100,000. The Dubai Duty Free Village in the Curragh garden will this year provide a new entertainment venue with an array of food and beverage...

Horse Racing Ireland has entered into a three-year partnership with sports marketing agency Two Circles with the goal of growing racecourse attendance and improving customer experience. The partnership comes on the back of a pilot project between the two organizations that allowed them to gain a better understanding of who Irish racing's customers are and what drives their relationship to the sport. Two Circles also works with the likes of the RCA (Racecourse Association), Great British Racing, The Jockey Club, Ascot Racecourse, Goodwood, Juddmonte Farms, World Horse Racing, the Hong...