TRAINERS enduring tough times will be hoping to see some benefit from the planned increases in prize money next year.

Horse Racing Ireland [HRI] announced this week that total prize money will grow by 2.5% to €68.6 million in 2023 but there were mixed signals on which races would be targeted.

HRI’s statement said the prize money increase was part of its “commitment to ensuring that Ireland remains a global leader in terms of the quality of our race programme whilst also continuing to grow the grassroots of the sport.”

Asked for a view on the issue, the Irish Racehorse Trainers Association chief executive Ryan McElligott said: “Any increase in prize money levels is to be welcomed. We don’t know yet what races or race types will be singled out for attention and that will be very important.

“Obviously Ireland needs to remain competitive on an international level when it comes to prize money and trying to keep a significant cohort of horses at home is very important in terms of maintaining the quality the product that we have.

“Aside from our standing internationally it was good to see the grassroots being mentioned as this is where our talents, both equine and human, are nurtured. These are tough times for many trainers and the environment, with various costs climbing higher all the time, for a significant portion of our members is as challenging as it has ever been.

“So, the hope is that many of them will be able to see some benefit from an increase in prize money levels as there are countless yards up and down the country who make a vital contribution to their local economy. These people represent the backbone of the industry and it is crucial that they aren’t forgotten.”

However, it remains to be seen how exactly HRI plans to distribute the extra €1.7 million in prize money in 2023. Already an extra €250,000 has been pledged to the Irish Derby prize fund and there has been no indication that the minimum race value of €10,000 will be raised.

About two-thirds of all prize money is supplied by HRI each year. Owners contribute roughly 25% through entry fees and the rest comes from sponsors and the Irish EBF.

“Prize money is a key enabler in building and maintaining the number of quality horses in training in Ireland,” Eade said. “Approximately 70% of horses competing receive some prize money so it is important that we prioritise its growth and continued broad distribution amongst all the participants (owners, trainers, jockeys and stable staff) in order to sustain the significant rural jobs created by the industry.”

HRI has €72.8 million of Government funds to spend next year (up 3.5%), along with an estimated €6 million share of the annual €40 million in media rights revenue.

Integrity funding

There is a 3% rise in integrity funding to almost €16 million, the vast majority of which goes to the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board [IHRB]. Recently the IHRB’s new chief executive Darragh O’Loughlin expressed a wish to increase the level of drug-testing and inspections carried out by the organisation. The sport’s regulator is also under pressure to complete the installation of security cameras in all racecourse stableyards.

Asked for a comment on the 2023 funding, an IHRB spokesperson said: “It is the aim of the IHRB to use the resources that are available to us as efficiently and effectively as possible in order to safeguard the integrity and reputation of Irish horseracing.

“We have ambitious plans to expand and enhance our testing activity and processes in line with the recommendations of Dr Craig Suann’s Independent Review of the IHRB Equine Anti-Doping Programme, which was carried out at the request of the Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine, and we will continue to implement these recommendations to the extent that we can within the level of resource provided.”

MORE DETAILS >>4