Irish racecourses

Irish racecourses can host up to 50% of their outdoor capacity beginning on Sept. 6 following the Irish Government's latest COVID-19 response roadmap, Horse Racing Ireland announced on Thursday. Racecourses may also utilise 60% of their indoor capacity for hospitality purposes should attendees consume food and beverages indoors as long as they provide evidence of their Digital Covid Vaccine Cert (DCC). Attendance in both spheres will be increased to 100% as long as all covid restrictions are lifted on Oct. 22. Regarding Irish Champions Weekend on Sept. 11 and 12,...

Paddy Walsh, chief executive officer of the Association of Irish Racecourses, has said his "members are frustrated" as tracks continue to be restricted to very limited crowds. While British racecourses are back at full capacity and other sports and sectors in Ireland are seeing restrictions eased, Irish racecourses remain limited to 500 patrons, with exceptions made to allow 1,000 at the Irish Derby meeting and the Galway Festival. Horse Racing Ireland is seeking exceptions to allow larger crowds at next month's Harvest Festival at Listowel and Irish Champions Weekend, and...

Racecourse Media Group (RMG) has agreed to five-year licence extensions for audio-visual and data rights for its British racecourses, the company announced on Thursday.  A total of 35 UK racecourses have their LBO rights renewed, and 33 UK racecourses were renewed for all other aspects of their media rights, including streaming (watch & bet), direct to home (DTH), terrestrial TV and international betting and non-betting through Dec. 31, 2028. Owned in its entirety by racecourse shareholders, RMG pays 100% of operating profit back to racecourses, and as a result, it...

Owners will once again be welcome at Irish racecourses from June 7, Horse Racing Ireland announced on Wednesday. The news follows on the heels of the Irish Government announcement that up to 200 people can attend outdoor events from next Monday. The last time owners were permitted on racecourses in Ireland was in September of 2020. Two owners per horse will be allowed to attend. There will be designated areas for owners to meet their trainers and jockeys at each track, while winning owners will be permitted to enter the...

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...