• Continued from A3

    • PRIZE MONEY & DISTRIBUTION

    Prize money will increase by €2.2 million in 2018, reaching an all-time high of €63.3 million.

    This reflects a planned increase of eight fixtures compared to the original 2017 schedule and enhanced prize money for the inaugural Dublin Racing Festival in 2018.

    It also reflects the full year financial impact of the increased values introduced during 2017 to the lower tier point of entry races, including the overall minimum race value of €10,000.

    Other initiatives in receipt of continued support in 2018 include the further development of the two-year-old auction race series, the auction novice series over hurdles and increased support for flat staying races.

    These have been supported by the Irish European Breeders’ Fund and the Irish EBF’s overall sponsorship contribution will to rise by €200,000 to €2.2 million next year.

    OWNERSHIP

    Driving sustainable ownership is a key issue for the industry and for maintaining and increasing levels of employment. To this end, 2018 will see a continuation of trainer marketing supports. A number of new ownership promotions, domestic and international, are planned for 2018.

    The HRI Ownership Department will continue to work with all stakeholders on improving the ownership experience in Ireland, with particular focus on racecourse facilities and additional benefits attached to racehorse ownership.

    MARKETING

    Next year will see a significant investment in marketing and communications, including marketing support for racecourses.

    This will see HRI work directly with racecourses to target specific meetings for growth.

    A number of HRI regional roadshow events are planned for 2018, to engage with the various stakeholders in the industry and explain support services available to those in the industry.

    POINT-TO-POINTS

    Point-to-point prize money will increase by €161,000 in 2018, resulting in increases in prize money for all races other than maidens for four- and five-year-olds.

    The administration grants for point-to-points will be maintained at the increased level of €6,500 per fixture in 2018.

    INTEGRITY SERVICES

    An allocation of €9.1 million has been approved for integrity services, which includes funding for an injury management database and for CCTV installation at a number of racecourses stable yards.

    INDUSTRY AND EDUCATION

    There will be a focus on embedding career pathways within the industry and providing adequate training and support structures for a broader range of industry workers. The Jockey Pathway programme will be officially launched in early 2018.

    IRISH THOROUGHBRED MARKETING

    With Brexit posing significant challenges for the Irish bloodstock sector, 2018 will see an allocation of €1.095 million from HRI and a further €450,000 from the Thoroughbred Foal Levy to Irish Thoroughbred Marketing with the emphasis on protecting the UK market and developing new markets.

    IRISH EQUINE CENTRE

    Funding for the Irish Equine Centre will increase to €2.22m in 2018. The Equine Centre carries out a pivotal role in the industry and Horse Racing Ireland is working with the Centre to develop a long term vision for an Irish equine campus which will be a centre of excellence for diagnostics, research and disease surveillance.

    CAPITAL PROJECTS

    The 2018 capital budget provides for the continued development of the Racing Administration System (RAS) which is operated by HRI, together with provisions for new sets of starting stalls at Killarney and Tipperary.