HRI chief hails 'remarkable resilience' as ownership rises sharply in 2021

Despite an array of external challenges such as Brexit and the coronavirus pandemic, Irish racing's juggernaut continues to surge on relentlessly with the number of owners growing by over 20 per cent in 2021 compared to the pre-Covid levels of 2019.

The full year industry knstatistics were released by Horse Racing Ireland on Friday with various metrics enjoying an upward swing, most noticeably ownership. However, many of the figures carry the caveat of having been inflated by the fact the point-to-point schedule was significantly curtailed in 2021, redirecting a significant share of horses and owners to the track.

In all, there were 1,062 new owners registered during last year, up 36 per cent from 780 in 2020 and 851 in 2019. The total number of owners is up 20.1 per cent to 4,901 with owner retention running at 80.7 per cent. That figure refers to the percentage of 2020 active owners who made a race entry in 2021.

The number of horses in training, bolstered by the point-to-point interruptions, rose for the first time in six years, up 14.4 per cent from 9,248 to 10,579.

Suzanne Eade, the new chief executive of HRI, said: "So many of the figures announced today show a remarkable resilience in the horseracing and breeding industries. The figures for the numbers of horses in training have jumped by over 14 per cent year on year at a time when attendance of owners at race meetings was severely curtailed.

"That support from owners is vital, placing the industry on a secure footing and reflecting favourably on levels of employment across the industry and the wider economic activity that brings. It is hugely encouraging that all categories of ownership have grown and a record owner retention rate is a terrific vote of confidence in the industry."

A record number of fixtures and races were held in 2021, but there was no public attendance at any fixture in the first six months of 2021. Crowds were limited to 500 from July to early September while racecourses operated at 50 per cent capacity for the remainder of the year, although there was the added setback of Leopardstown's Christmas festival having to be run behind closed doors.

The total public attendance was just 231,000 for the year, compared to 1.3 million in 2019 and the knock-on effect was felt as betting turnover in the on-course ring fell by 80 per cent to €11.7 million from €58.4m in 2019. Retail closures of licensed betting offices in Ireland and the UK negatively impacted on overall betting and Tote figures during the year as well.

There were more positive returns on the bloodstock front, with a significant increase in the overall figure for bloodstock sales at public auction at €182.8m, up 71.3 per cent on 2020 when a number of the major horse sales were severely disrupted, deferred or relocated.

Eade added: "Irish Bloodstock sales were hit very badly in 2020 but last year’s figures for horses sold at public auction improved greatly with a succession of sales performing well. There was a vibrant trade at the Irish store sales and buyers from 22 countries invested at Irish yearling sales, with Irish-foaled horses sold to 31 countries in all."

The total prize-money handed out in 2021 was €61.82m in 2021 compared to €50.58m in 2020 but down 6.4 per cent from the pre-pandemic figure of €66.06m in 2019.

Read more . . .

No change to Irish anti-doping strategy despite huge rise in raceday hair tests

Arkle favourite Ferny Hollow ruled out of Cheltenham Festival through injury

Catch our new in-depth review of the weekend's racing every Monday in the Racing Post. With big-race analysis from Grand National-winning jockey Leighton Aspell, Chris Cook's take on the weekend action, eyecatchers from the Raceform team, weekly awards and more, it is not to be missed.