The latest figures for horse racing attendances in Ireland for the first six months of 2025 have shown that there has been a 7% increase year-on-year. Bloodstock sales are also up, and more people than ever in Ireland are wagering on Irish and foreign races.

Let’s dive straight in and take a closer look at why the horse racing industry in Ireland is growing, and why so many people enjoy attending the races at top venues across Ireland in places such as Cork (Mallow), Downpatrick, Baldoyle, Ballybrit (Galway), and Leopardstown, to name a few.

What is driving Ireland’s horse racing industry growth?

Ireland’s horse racing industry is unquestionably number one on the global stage, and there are several key factors that are helping fuel its impressive growth. For example, Ireland is well-known for its horse breeding excellence with generations of expertise, a strong market export, and an optimal environment and climate.

The country is now home to some of the world’s leading breeding establishments. The country also has a large number of the industry’s most exceptional jockeys and trainers, and the official governing body of horse racing in Ireland, Horse Racing Ireland (HRI), receives substantial government support and investment, which helps with the overall development of the industry.

Government funding helps breeding initiatives, breeding initiatives, and supports racecourses. It also helps to improve infrastructure, such as cutting-edge tracks, racecourse facilities, and stadiums, which significantly enhances the appeal of horse racing in Ireland and helps boost attendance.

Ireland’s horse racing industry and attendances in numbers

Here are some of the latest official figures that put things into perspective:

  • Total attendances for the first six months at racecourses across Ireland reveal a 6.9% increase at 566,377 compared to the same period last year
  • Although the number of Irish horse racing fixtures stayed the same at 173, there were five more races, which brought the total to 1,271
  • The Punchestown Festival recorded a 15% attendance increase to 136,651
  • Total prize money at horse racing events in Ireland increased by 1.6% to €31.5 million
  • There was only a marginal increase in the number of National Hunt entries, while the number of flat entries was actually down by almost 8%

    • Furthermore, the number of flat runners reduced by almost 3%, but the total number of runners climbed to 14,549, which showed a marginal 1.2% increase

    There was also a 2.4% increase from 8,349 to 8,549 in the number of horses in training (ones that are declared ‘Racing Active’), and the number of active owners rose by 2.6% to 3,860.

    What about betting figures?

    According to the latest figures, betting activity also increased, especially online. With casinos.com recommending highest quality gambling sites and sportsbooks, punters in Ireland can now find a safe site in just seconds, where they can place bets from their Wi-Fi/internet-connected PC or mobile device at any time of the day.

    Many of today’s safest sites offer some of the industry’s most highly competitive odds, and the convenience of betting online has made it more appealing for sports bettors who would rather place bets online than at the in-house betting shop.

    Tote betting was up 6.2% to €34.2 million. On-course bookmaker betting climbed by 12% to €35.7 million, and the total amount for on-course betting rose by a whopping 17.1% to €39.3 million.

    HRI’s strategy for growth is clearly working, and projections for the second half of 2025 are also looking positive. The racing industry is constantly adapting and utilising the latest technologies, and trainers leverage technology to monitor horse performance and get the most out of the jockeys.

    Are there any major Irish or international horse racing events still to come in 2025?

    Some of the biggest upcoming international meetings include The Everest in October at the Royal Randwick Racecourse in Sydney, Australia, on October 18. From October 4-5, you have the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe at Longchamps in Paris, France, and then from November 1-8, also in Australia, it’s the Melbourne Cup Carnival.

    In the UK, the York Ebor Festival at York Racecourse will run from August 20-23, and then on August 30, it’s the Summer Celebration at Sandown Park. That’s not forgetting to mention the Sprint Cup Celebration at Haydock Park from September 4-6, and the St Leger Festival at Doncaster Racecourse from September 11-14, to name just a few upcoming races.

    Final thoughts

    If you plan on attending any upcoming meetings in Ireland or abroad, always remember to plan your trip well in advance. Booking tickets early can also sometimes save you a bit of money.

    When it comes to betting on the horses, always remember to gamble responsibly and stick to placing wagers on fully licensed and regulated platforms controlled by trusted operators.

    Before betting on any races, always conduct plenty of research and pay close attention to the odds and implied probability rates. Never treat betting as a job, and remember to take advantage of things like deposit limits, session time reminders, and win/loss limits.