HORSE Racing Ireland [HRI] will receive the same level of Government funding in 2026 as it did this year, The Irish Field has learned.

As details of Budget 2026 were being unveiled by the Minister for Finance in Dáil Eireann on Tuesday afternoon, Government sources told The Irish Field that the Department of Agriculture would again be allocating just over €79 million to HRI. The only difference this year is that €14 million of that sum will be ringfenced for capital projects, down from €16 million last year, which in theory frees up €2 million for HRI to spend on other priorities.

HRI’s Strategic Plan 2024-'28 projected Government funding of almost €84 million for 2026, including €15 million for capital funding, leaving a €5 million black hole in the semi-state's finances.

However, HRI is understood to have received a similar sum in a recent land deal involving Leopardstown Racecourse and local authorities.

Attention will now turn to Horse Racing Ireland's own budgetary process, which is usually finalised in early December. Owners and trainers have been pressing HRI to make further increases in prize money.

Prize money for Irish racing is expected to amount to €70.9 million this year, up €1 million on the previous year. Of this figure, typically half comes from the Governmnent funds and about 15% is contributed by HRI's commercial income.

MORE ON THIS STORY IN THE IRISH FIELD NEXT WEEKEND