Horse Racing Ireland has published a positive set of industry figures for the first six months of 2025, with race sponsorship remaining steady at €4.6 million — a solid vote of confidence from brands in the resilience and reach of Irish racing.
The mid-year figures reveal a healthy recovery across multiple fronts following weather-related disruptions in 2024.
Notably, racecourse attendances increased by 6.9% to 566,377. The Punchestown Festival was a major contributor, with a five-day total of 136,651 – up 15% on last year – underlining the commercial and social value of flagship events on the Irish sporting calendar.
Prize money also increased to €31.5 million, a 1.6% rise, with targeted gains across minimum race values. While the number of fixtures remained unchanged at 173, there was a slight reduction in race numbers (down five to 1,271) and a slight shift in the balance between Flat and National Hunt, with a 4.5% increase in National Hunt runners.
In the ownership ranks, the number of active owners – those making race entries – increased by 2.6% to 3,860. However, the pipeline of new owners decreased from 486 to 412, a metric that will be closely monitored in H2.
The total number of horses in training declared “Racing Active” reached 8,594, an increase of 2.4%, with a further 2,888 recorded as “Racing Inactive” under newly introduced welfare and traceability protocols.
From a betting perspective, on-course turnover rose sharply to €39.3 million, up 12% on the same period last year. Bookmaker activity led the way with a 14.1% increase to €35.7 million, while Tote betting reached €34.2 million overall (+6.2%), despite a modest dip in on-course Tote activity.
Bloodstock sales at public auction surged to €68.4 million, a rise of 17.1%, driven by strong international interest across breeze-up and store sales – a key indicator of Ireland’s continued strength as a global breeding hub.
“This period last year was blighted by significant disruption to the fixture list due to the weather, and with a clearer run this time, most of the key numbers have recovered well,” said Suzanne Eade, CEO of Horse Racing Ireland.
“The rise in attendances across the board is most encouraging.”
“The terrific success of the Punchestown festival not only shows how popular our sport remains with all age groups, but also how important it is from a social and economic perspective.”
“Increasing prize money remains a key focus for HRI to maintain our international competitiveness and to reward owners for their investment and their support of trainers and breeders.”
“While we have been able to achieve modest targeted increases to prize money levels this year, the HRI Board remain committed to a prize money growth strategy which is vital to underpin Ireland’s global leading status.”
“Since February of this year, new guidelines have been introduced to improve equine traceability and welfare. Our figures for the numbers of horses in training are now recorded in two distinct categories, allowing for a clearer assessment of a horse’s status while in the care of a licenced trainer for the first time.”
Sport for Business Events
Find out More about Our Sport for Business Events Programme Here
The Latest Sport for Business Podcasts
Further Reading for Sport for Business members:
Check out more of our Sport for Business coverage of Horse Racing
WHAT’S UP NEXT?
Sport for Business is in planning for a number of major events bringing together leaders in Irish Sport and Business across a range of subjects in the second half of the year.
On Thursday, August 28th we will host a special event looking at Future Proofing Irish Sport including the use of AI in sport. Then in September we will host our Annual Children in Sport Conference, in October, our Annual Sport for Social Good Event, in November a new event focused on Sustainability in Sport and in December our 12th Annual Women in Sport Conference.
Find out More about Our Sport for Business Events Programme Here
MEMBERSHIP AND EVENTS
Horse racing Ireland, as well as all the leading sporting and business organisations in and around the world of sport are among the 300+ members of the Sport for Business community.
This includes all of the leading sports and sponsors, as well as commercial and state agencies, individuals interested in our world, and an increasing number from beyond these shores taking a keen interest in Ireland.
Find out more about becoming a member today.
Or sign up for our twice-daily bulletins to get a flavour of the material we cover.
Sign up for our News Bulletins here.
