Horse Racing Ireland face 'body of work' in recovering from the impact of Covid-19

Ironically, the number of fixtures and races being run is at an all-time high, however, there has been no public attendance at any race meeting in Ireland in the first half of 2021 and owners, limited to 200 per meeting, have only been able to return to the racetrack since June 7. 

SOLENE LILYETTE and Andrew Slattery with Jordan Quirke after winning the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Hurry Harriet Stakes (Listed) at Gowran Prak.

Horse Racing Ireland chiefs admit there is a 'body of work' to be done in their attempts to restore the sport to its pre-pandemic levels of attendance and betting turnover.

Though there are some green shoots of recovery for the industry in recent months, the statistics from the first six months of the year show there is still quite a journey ahead of HRI officials and the industry as a whole.