The Irish horse-racing industry suffered falls in attendances, bloodstock sales at auction, and on-course betting in 2008, as the economic slowdown and bad weather took their toll, reports RTE.
Total attendances at Ireland’s 27 racetracks fell 9 per cent, from 1.527m in 2007 to 1.39 million last year. RTE say that more than 50 per cent of the drop can be attributed to the 42 cancellations in 2008 due to bad weather, an increase of 12 on 2007.
Bloodstock sales fell 43.6 per cent, to €99.5 million, and on-course betting fell 18.2 per cent.
The falls in these key figures represent a contrast with recent years in which the Irish racing industry has boomed. On-course betting rose by 25 per cent between 2000 and 2007, and off-course betting grew by 208%. During the same period, fixtures increased by 23%, and prize money nearly doubled. The number of foals produced also grew by 44%, and the number of horses in training grew by 52%, creating significant extra employment in the country.
Participation in the sport actually grew in 2008, with increased numbers of fixtures, races, runners and owners. However the other figures mean that 2008 is being seen as a year of contraction for the Irish racing industry.
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