STUDENT racedays have become a roaring success in recent years, filling racecourses with a vibrant new atmosphere.

Over 14,000 students attended Limerick Racecourse’s student day in April.

But the question remains whether these events are really building the next generation of committed racegoers.

“If we can ignite the passion for racing into students, we’d hope that they would come back in years to come when they get older and have more disposable income,” said Olivia Lynch Ward, marketing manager of Galway Racecourse. “There’s been a huge increase in popularity in recent years and we can’t keep up with the demand.”

Galway’s most recent student day sold out in just seven days – 11 days earlier than the previous year. While the appetite is there, managing capacity is key.

“We’d love to up the attendances,” she added, “But we need to manage everybody safely here on site as well.”

The racecourse partners with the University of Galway and donates part of the proceeds from ticket sales to university-linked charities such as Voluntary Services Abroad and the rugby club. However, Olivia stresses that the day isn’t just about entertainment.

“While the students are at the races, it’s important that the day isn’t just about drinking, and that they’re getting educated on all that the industry has to offer,” she said. “It’s difficult for a racecourse to do individually, but across the industry’s organisations there’s definitely something we can do to teach people in a hope that they will give back to the industry in the future.”

One student group attending last year’s event had an unexpected connection to the action, when Source Code and Dylan Browne McMonagle won the Sword Security Nursery.

“There was a group of lads here, and one of their uncles owned a horse named Source Code who was running,” Olivia recalled. “He wasn’t in attendance so they were representing him in the parade ring, and when the horse won it was great to see how much pride they had in it.”

Owen Byrne, manager of Tramore Racecourse, agrees that student days are an important entry point but thinks the racing industry must work harder to help young people engage more deeply.

“Student racedays certainly contribute to the next generation,” he said, “But I think that we could do a lot more as an industry to try and encourage them.”

For Byrne, the appeal lies in an intellectual challenge. “Gambling presents a challenge to figure out who the winner of a race will be, and it gets people invested in form and racing data,” he said. “We need a system that presents young people with a similar puzzle to be solved, but doesn’t lead to dangerous gambling.”

At Sligo Racecourse, the atmosphere speaks for itself. Student racedays there are some of the liveliest and most well-attended fixtures of the year, and while the crowd may be young, manager Kathryn Foley says they’re full of enthusiasm for the sport.

“They absolutely adore the racing,” Foley reported. “If you’re in the grandstand, they roar every time the horses come past, and applaud the last horse home just as much as the first.

“There’s a great buzz and it’s nice to have young, vibrant people coming into the racecourse – it gives it a boost.”