Eight racecourses benefit from HRI grants

Total grants of €3.5m have been approved for eight individual racecourses under Horse Racing Ireland's Capital Development Fund set up under the five-year strategic plan for the industry.

Both Galway and Naas racecourses will receive funds to facilitate their redevelopment work over the winter while Killarney’s new Tote facility, opened earlier this year, has also been grant-aided.

In addition, a number of track-widening plans are being funded at Cork, Fairyhouse, Limerick, Navan & Punchestown at a cost of approximately €1m.

These projects will be 100% grant aided and are designed to enable these courses to stage additional winter jump racing if necessary and to give the tracks more flexibility with their overall race programme.

Earlier this year the Board of HRI approved a new Health & Safety Grant scheme for all racecourses, with funding of up to €200,000 provided per track at a total cost of €5m.

HRI’s Chief Executive, Brian Kavanagh said: "We made racecourses the focus of our five-year plan, providing development funding where it would make a real difference.

"The racecourses have responded magnificently and new developments are under way or are being planned throughout the country," he added.

Commenting on the announcement, Minister for Sport, John O’Donoghue said : "As we can see, racecourses continue to invest in their facilities, improving the racing product for all participants in the sport.

"Horse racing in Ireland is flourishing at present - attendances are almost 10% up on last year and by the end of September over 1 million people will have attended Irish racemeetings," O’Donoghue concluded.