HRI Publishes Stats for First Half of Year

Horse Racing Ireland's statistics for the first six months of the year have shown resilience in key industry areas despite challenges presented by the pandemic, with welcome increases in ownership metrics.

Active owner levels are 24% higher than before COVID in 2019 at 4,027, with new owners up nearly 32% and the total number of horses in training increasing by 24% to 8,936. The prolonged suspension of the point-to-point season is likely to have been a factor in that respect, with a significant number of horses redirected to the track.

Ireland's number of fixtures and races—up 8.4 and 14.6%—are at an all-time high, but the lack of spectators has unsurprisingly hit on-course metrics hard.

HRI chief executive Brian Kavanagh also offered reassurance that what appears to be a drop in race sponsorship figures is not reflective of the overall sponsorship input, which he believes is largely consistent with previous levels.

Figures show there was a total of €4.2 million for race sponsorship in the opening six months of 2019, falling to €2.1 million last year and €1.5 million during the same period in 2021, but Kavanagh said this was "not comparing like with like" after a racecourse sponsorship scheme was introduced to assist tracks during the pandemic.

"For the last two years we've operated a racecourse sponsorship incentive scheme whereby racecourses are able to retain sponsorship themselves, rather than put it into the prize fund," he explained.

"I think there has been some small drop in sponsorship because of racing behind closed doors, but the difference is that most of it is being retained by racecourses as opposed to going into the prize fund.

"This was one of the emergency measures we brought in to support tracks. The true figure for sponsorship is close enough to line ball."

Kavanagh confirmed the €1 million Irish Champion Stakes (G1) remains without a sponsor for the second year running. Previous backers Qipco reportedly decided against continuing their sponsorship prior to the pandemic last year.

Of the wider picture painted by the six-month statistics, Kavanagh said: "The increase in the number of active owners and newly-registered owners in Ireland bodes well for the future, as does the increase in the number of horses in training which is the lifeblood of the industry.

"This added investment by owners is reflected in the fixture list, and the increase in the number of runners can only be of benefit to the industry, particularly in relation to employment."

He added: "Racecourses have proved resilient and through government support schemes, cost cutting measures, the HRI sponsorship incentive scheme, and media rights revenues, they are managing their way through the crisis.

"That said, these measures can only be temporary and as the vaccination program rolls out further, it is important Irish racecourses are able to welcome back larger crowds at race meetings.

"Overall, the industry has shown resilience in the first six months of 2021 coping with the twin challenges of Brexit and COVID-19.

"There is a body of work to be done to restore attendances, prize money, and race sponsorship levels; however the fundamentals of the industry remain strong and activity levels in owning, breeding, and buying horses are increasing."