The Irish Greyhound Board has announced a new funding stream of €700,000 geared towards retaining existing owners in the sport and attracting new syndicates to get involved.
This comes on top of an additional €1 million in prize money announced at the start of the year and is a major step in securing the long term future of what remains one of Ireland’s most popular spectator sports and a major source of export income through breeding.
In the past two months the sport has announced sponsorship deals with Gain Foods and the Irish Independent worth over €100,000.
The additional supports will be available for trainers, breeders and owners through a variety of incentive schemes aimed at putting cash back into the pockets of those who are responsible for producing the core racing product.
There will also be a fund of €75,000 available for groups looking to increase attendance at stadia and €50,000 towards the development of a new industry training programme.
In addition to the direct industry supports, the IGB intend to set aside funding of circa €75,000 in 2016 to attract and support syndicates into greyhound racing.
The fund will be used to promote greyhound ownership, to offer support to racings clubs and to provide hospitality concessions to syndicates.
Support and advice on greyhound ownership will be available as well as guidance on pedigree lines together with information on sales prices, prize money and greyhound trainers.
“The Irish Greyhound Board is committed to improving greyhound racing so as to retain existing owners and attract new owners,” said CEO Geraldine Larkin.
“We have benefited from the increased allocation in budget 2016 and the programme of measures outlined is structured so that the maximum number of people within the industry are receiving additional supports.”
“Greyhound racing is a fast paced thrilling sport and it is the objective of these measures to support industry stakeholders in exposing the sport to the widest possible audience of new owners and race goers.”
