Financial challenges to Irish horse racing industry underlined by six-month figures

Members of the public looking in from the Ross Road as racing takes place at Killarney behind closed doors. Photo Healy Racing.

Horse Racing Ireland's statistics for the first six months of the year show attendances down 79.1% as events are run behind closed doors, while bloodstock sales have been decimated to the tune of 87.3%.

That latter figure is down €41.73m compared to 2019, with sales either deferred or moved out of Ireland. The second half of the year is traditionally busier for sales, with the scheduled sales generating €150m last year, and HRI say they are working with the Government to ensure they can safely resume in August.