THE most recent half yearly industry statistics issued by Horse Racing Ireland were largely healthy but one area of concern was attendance figures which showed a dip from 2016. While the Curragh redevelopment and their reduced capacity was in part responsible, attracting new racegoers remains a struggle.

Festivals continue to attract big crowds, but some of the better tracks still see small attendances, even in summer months.

Last Saturday trainer Michael O’Callaghan posed a question on social media ‘How do we get more people going racing?’ It elicited a large number of replies from both racegoers and industry professionals. Below are a selection of the responses.

CourseSpecialist @CourseSpecial

Less segregation, cheaper prices, more engagement with horses & jockeys & history. Raise the profile of the sport with the general public.

Katie Rudd @RuddKatie

Schools to bring kids racing; organised trips, tours behind scenes, lease schools horse for day, HRI-run pony races on race days. More themed races/series e.g: greys; lady owners; horses owned/trained locally; synd/club owned horses. O&T passes 4 ALL synd/club members

John Hand @johnhand0012

Racing needs to be more accessible and affordable. Promoting itself in the media at every opportunity. Innovative like Leopardstown #fun

Jack Cantillon @jackcantillon

1. Obsess on raceday experience

2. Become #1 sport in creation of shareable content

3. Use influencers who promote sport on podcasts, blogs

Denis Coakley @deniscoakley11

Massive crowd @ Tramore tonight for mediocre flat card - Curragh must be envious today - And so much for cliche “Irish won’t go to Flat Races”

Will Egan @currasilla

Free entry. Quality food and drink at a value price. Not expensive muck at a lower quality than an average garage deli..

Stephen Walsh @Stephen_Walsh06

Pick 3 influencers from different areas; fashion, tech and sport. Give each a bus to fill for a race day by running comps. New fans arrive.

Martina Murphy-Dunne @mar_murf

Look @ hurling4cancer €10/15 in the gate more attendance than the Derby it was fun lots of families got to meet their heroes, no crap, one level

Damian English @denglish_racing

Think @LeopardstownRC have nearly nailed it with their concerts after racing and top class facilities always seems to be a good crowd there

mourne seafood @mourneseafood

Need a good commentator for the parade ring to inform people - race condition, trainers, travel distance, how much horse bought for, etc

Mick Conlon @conlonmick

Cheaper admission prices - €15 in before you buy a race card/drink/food is ridiculous - why would you try bring the family to a meeting!

John Kennedy @JohnKen95653804

Keep the cost of food and drink down, maybe go to a track say 4 times during the season, the 5th time free entry.

Michael O’Hagan @OHaganMi

Facilities, value and fun.....from the moment you step out of the car!

Dan Heap @Ohdannyboy77

Honestly think courses get a raw deal in attendances in Ireland. Quality of racing is high, entry fees are low, no class divide. Maybe more awareness in general programmes of the stories and intrigue, the characters and the fun that happens.

Eddie Fremantle @eddietheshoe

When Newbury stage an Arab meeting on a Sunday, let everyone in for nothing and give them goodie bags, they get 25,000. Not rocket science.

Ben Clarke @benclarke415

More race days where it’s free to enter the racecourse. The public can get a taste of racing for free and don’t have to pay to experience it.

WOBURN STUD @eileen_harte

Admission/facilities updated/ food choice/educate - tours prior to first race / race card – simplify/more evening meetings/families

Tom Hickey @killinan

Need to bring Horse Racing to schools. Parents and their kids are part of Hurling, Football, Rugby and Soccer.

Andrew Yates @freddy6T6

I’d like to see a “bring a friend” scheme introduced. I’ve no idea how to police it but its the best way to integrate new people to anything

Darren Hughes @dazlo3500

Trainers & jockeys need to be more open. It’s not good enough we have world class athletes in Pat Smullen and the public don’t know them. Pat only one example, we need to push that this is a sport & we are THE world leader. Best trainers, best jockeys, best horses, no exposureLack of exposure isn’t just down to media either, it’s a problem with lots of jockeys/yards. They don’t see bigger picture and keep quiet

Daryl Miley @darylmiley

More open days to behind the scenes to give people better understanding of what it takes to get horse to track!! Connection with people needed

David Mooney @mooneydavid12

Families want to be able to have picnics and fun e.g. Entertaining! Others just want to go have a bet and enjoy the day out! Can’t do that??

Give Him Timber @MoonmanMUFC

Where possible use the middle of the course to create a very cheap enclosure. Where families could have day out with stuff for kids etc

Cathal Walsh @kilconlyman

Interview trainers/jockeys on course before races. I’m better informed sat at home watching Attheraces and it’s costing me nothing!