HORSE Racing Ireland [HRI] says it is committed to raising prize money levels following publication this week of a mixed set of key industry statistics for the first half of the year.

The most eyecatching figure in the statistics for January-June published this week is a near 7% rise in racecourse attendances compared to the same period last year. However, HRI chief executive Suzanne Eade acknowledged that the spring of 2024 was abnormally wet which led to multiple fixture cancellations and rescheduled meetings. Compared to the first half of 2023, this year’s attendances are up 4%.

Arguably, the most worrying statistic issued this week is the number of new racehorse owners registered so far this year. At 412, this is down 15% on the same period from last year. It was 455 in the first half of 2023.

The number of active owners is up 2.6%, just above where it was two years ago.

Although the total prize money budget for 2025 is €70.9 million, up €1 million on what was paid out in 2024, HRI has come under pressure from owners and trainers to put more of its own resources into this area. Prize money paid out in the first half of 2025 is up just 1.6%.

HRI chief executive Suzanne Eade said: “This period last year was blighted by significant disruption to the fixture list due to the weather. With a clearer run this time, most of the key numbers have recovered well. The reported rise in attendances across the board is most encouraging. The terrific success of the Punchestown Festival not only shows how popular our sport remains with all age groups, but how important it is from a social and economic perspective.

“Increasing prize money remains a key focus for HRI to maintain our international competitiveness and to reward owners for their investment and their support of trainers and breeders.

“While we have been able to achieve modest targeted increases to prize money levels this year, the HRI board remains committed to a prize money growth strategy which is vital to underpin Ireland’s global leading status.”

The total number of entries received in the past six months is down 3.3%, with flat racing accounting for all of that drop. This decrease contrasts with a 2.4% rise in the number of horses in training.

Since February of this year, new guidelines have been introduced to improve equine traceability and welfare which means trainers are required to notify HRI of all thoroughbred horses in their care. This change has prompted HRI to record two distinct categories of horses in training - active and inactive. There were almost 3,000 ‘inactive’ horses in the care of licensed trainers between January and June.

Total race sponsorship matched last year’s figure of €4.6 million.

While the number of fixtures remained at 173, the number of races reduced by five to 1,271, with nine fewer flat races and four more National Hunt races.

The total number of runners was up by 1.2% to 14,549, with National Hunt runners up by 4.5%. The number of Flat runners reduced by 2.7%.

The betting figures are well ahead of last year with total on-course betting reaching €39.3 million, up 12%. On-course bookmaker betting is up 14.1% to €35.7 million with the total Tote betting figure reaching €34.2 million, a rise of 6.2%. Total on-course Tote betting fell by €200,000 or 5.3%.

Strong overseas demand, particularly in the areas of breeze-up sales and store sales, resulted in an increase of 17.1% to €68.4m of bloodstock sales at public auction.