HORSE Racing Ireland’s half-yearly racecourse attendance figures showed a dip of 9% from the pre-pandemic year in 2019. The figure came in at 505,752 this year compared to 555,475 in 2019.

Even Galway failed to match the levels of previous seasons though there was much to be pleased with after the seven days in the west. But the general feeling over the last few weeks on the country circuit - taking in Ballinrobe, Roscommon and Tramore to mention a few - was that the fixtures were generally well attended and feedback and comment online was all positive.

Tracks that made a bit of effort and offered value for money were seeing positive reactions. Certainly at Dundalk’s 15th of August fixture on Monday, I’d never seen so many mothers and children at a track. While that may have been encouraged by this being a traditional ‘holiday’ type fixture, it was still good to see children present taking an early interest in what was going on (“Why is the horse wearing that red thing (hood)?” “So the crowd won’t annoy him”) and family groups being able to see the horses close up from the stalls at the mile, two-furlong start. It didn’t feel like there was a long time between races, which is often a complaint. The train and pony rides were busy with long queues all the afternoon until the rain closed in later.

It is the higher-class, metropolitan meetings, as mentioned by Ruby Walsh last weekend, that appear to be falling short over the summer.

Of course, looking at York this week, you would be quite envious of the crowds, with the build up to Irish Champions Weekend under way. And the sight of the racegoers, eight or nine deep cheering Baaeed into the winner’s enclosure. A tiered paddock viewing area!

We might not see a choo-choo train at the Curragh but it would be no harm to look towards those areas to entice and involve young and old on the big days.

‘Pony’ power grows
stronger

ONE racing area of major interest over the next month is the pony racing scene. Where else might you have the names Johnny Depp and Bubba Watson in action on the one day?

Packed September schedule

Dingle drew the crowds earlier this month and another hugely popular meeting takes place at another of the more popular meetings at Glenbeigh Races on Rossbeigh Strand in Kerry on Saturday, September 3rd (3pm) and Sunday, September 4th (3.30pm). This fixture boasts Rachael Blackmore as one of its more famous previous participants.

The allure has never been more obvious over the past month as action resumed and September is a packed month for this sport.