THE chairman of the Association of Irish Racehorse Owners has suggested that Horse Racing Ireland [HRI] and the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board [IHRB] should be merged into one racing authority as a cost-saving measure.

David Hyland made the call in his address to guests at the Irish Racehorse Owners Awards last weekend.

“HRI and the IHRB are custodians of our sport and both individually are doing a good job,” he said. “However, due to rising costs I’d like to suggest that we can no longer afford two governing bodies. Is it time that these bodies were amalgamated to streamline costs?”

With HRI chief executive Suzanne Eade and the Minister for Agriculture Martin Heydon looking on, Hyland used the occasion to once again demand increased prize money,

“We see roadblocks ahead that are in need of urgent addressing,” he said. “Owner numbers are falling, there are lots of empty stables in most trainers’ yards around the country, costs are spiralling, yet prize money has remained stagnant.

“Last year, at this event, I spoke and have continued to speak ad nauseam all year about the importance of prize money. We need to make prize money a priority again. I’m not just harping on for the owners, although they are my priority, prize money trickles down to every facet of the industry and into every rural community in Ireland.”

Hyland’s comments came days after a HRI board meeting where it is understood there was a clash over prize money and HRI spending in general. HRI has not received any increase in state funding for 2026 and faces challenges in preparing its own budget plans, which are usually outlined publicly in mid-December.

’Difficult choices’

Taking to the stage immediately after Hyland, the Minister said: “As you may be aware, this year’s Budget proved extremely challenging across all sectors, and it was a challenging one to get through, as we face into uncertain economic times. So I had a number of really difficult choices to make.

“Not withstanding that, I was determined to maintain our support for the sector at the same level as last year. Furthermore, I provided for a €2 million increase in current spending [for HRI], which we switched from the capital side, to ensure that HRI has some flexibility to focus on the greatest needs.

“And the final thing I will say is that this is my first Budget [as Minister]. It is my intention to be in a position to further support the sector over the five years of this Government.”

Hyland also said he wanted to see the Irish Equine Centre developed to a standard which would enable it to carry out post-race dope-testing for the IHRB, a service currently provided by an English laboratory.

Tote tax

Reform of the Tote was another topic covered in his speech but the Tote is facing its own challenges following a recent Budget announcement warning that pool betting will be subject to a 2% duty from next year.

Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe said he planned to introduce the 2% levy - matching the current bookmaker levy - to prevent betting companies switching from fixed odds to pool betting in order to avoid paying the duty. He said he was giving the Tote a year’s advance warning so that the horse and greyhound racing industries could engage with the Department of Finance on how to manage the change.

Minister Heydon said: “Some of you may have noticed that Minister Donohoe, in the Budget speech, talked about the potential for tax on pool betting. The Gambling Regulatory Authority will be responsible for the licensing and supervision of the betting sector and, under the new regime, a range of licence holders may be authorised to engage in pool betting.

“In order to protect fiscal revenues, the Minister of Finance intends to introduce in next year’s Budget a separate pool betting duty. So this advance warning allows time for the racing sector to engage with the Department of Finance and relevant stakeholders on the design and structure of this duty. The Minister is very mindful of the very important role the Tote plays in the industry.”

Finally, the Minister said he hoped to have good news on the proposed Tipperary all-weather track “very soon”.