Hopeful signs of racing recovery

THE statistics for 2010, released yesterday by Horse Racing Ireland indicate there may be a mild recovery, at least as far as racecourse attendances and bloodstock sales are concerned.

Attendances and sales last year produced the first hopeful signs for the industry, since the downturn began.

The average attendance at race meetings at 3,586 was the same as 2009 and bloodstock sales, at €68m, were marginally ahead on 2009.