Horse Racing Ireland has reported positive developments in key areas of the Irish racing industry for 2025, including higher attendances and betting turnover. CEO Suzanne Eade described the sector as being in good health amid rising bloodstock sales and sponsorship. While some areas like earnings in Britain dipped slightly, overall performance showed gains across multiple metrics.
Horse Racing Ireland (HRI) released statistics on January 28, 2026, highlighting a robust year for Irish racing and breeding in 2025. Across 390 fixtures, racecourse attendances increased by 6% to 1.316 million. Betting through the Tote rose 7.2% to €81.3 million, with on-course figures up 1.9% to €10.6 million and off-course up 9% to €62.8 million on Irish pools. World Pool betting on major Flat fixtures generated €7.9 million, a 1.3% increase from 2024.
The standout growth was in bloodstock sales at public auction, reaching €225.4 million—a 14% rise. Commercial sponsorship grew 2.9% to €7 million, while the Irish EBF contribution from stallion owners increased 6.9% to €3.1 million. Prize money totaled €70.76 million, up 1.2% from the previous year.
Irish-trained horses earned £20 million in Britain, down 2%, but saw a 35.8% increase elsewhere globally, boosted by victories at the Breeders' Cup for trainers Aidan O'Brien and Willie Mullins. Average field sizes edged up to 11.51 runners per race, though entries fell 5.1%. Total runners remained steady at 33,230.
Ownership figures improved, with the number of owners rising 1.1% to 4,791 and retention up 3% to 76.2%. New owners numbered 790, down 5.7%, but company owners jumped 15.1% to 206.
"The industry figures for 2025 reveal a racing and breeding industry that performed well," said HRI CEO Suzanne Eade. She highlighted strong attendances at major festivals, including Punchestown's 15% gain to over 136,000 patrons, and increases at the Irish Derby weekend at the Curragh, Galway Races, Listowel's Harvest meeting, and Leopardstown at Christmas.
Eade added, "Prize-money, betting turnover, the value of bloodstock sales and sponsorship all moved in a positive direction, too. These are indicators that our sport is in good health and that it continues to hold a broad appeal." She noted ongoing challenges but emphasized HRI's Strategic Plan 2024-2028 to drive further improvements.
