Irish racing records strong first-half gains

Horse Racing Ireland (HRI) says the Irish racing and breeding industry delivered a broadly positive first half of 2026, with higher prize money, stronger bloodstock sales, increased race sponsorship and more new owners despite weather disruptions affecting attendances.

The standout result came in the bloodstock sector, where the value of horses sold at public auction climbed 20.9 per cent to €82.7 million, while prize-money distributed through the end of June increased 5.4 per cent to €33.2 million following the introduction of higher race values in March as part of a €4.3 million annual funding boost.

Racecourse attendances edged up 0.7 per cent after rising 6.9 per cent over the same period last year, despite the postponement of the opening day of the Dublin Racing Festival and nine abandoned or rescheduled meetings during the opening two months of the year because of poor weather.

The number of active owners was unchanged at 3,860, but 486 new owners joined the sport during the first six months of 2026, an increase of 17.9 per cent, while the number of individual horses earning prize-money rose 1.4 per cent to 3,873 and sponsorship revenue increased 4.3 per cent to €4.8 million.

Betting turnover with on-course bookmakers declined 4.8 per cent to €34 million, although Tote turnover on course rose 5.5 per cent to €3.8 million, off-course Irish Tote pools increased 11.1 per cent to €31.1 million and World Pool turnover on Irish Classics lifted 5.7 per cent to €55.4 million.

HRI chief executive Suzanne Eade said the figures reflected the early benefits of the organisation’s three-year prize money strategy, with stronger auction results and increased owner recruitment providing confidence that further investment would follow.