Irish Racing Statistics 2004
Festival growth continues
Overall attendances hit by weather
Bookmaker betting down
2004 saw substantial growth in Tote betting, continuing success for the major festivals, increased sponsorship and significant growth in racehorse ownership. Overall attendances, however, fell just short of last year's record figure of 1.4m and on-course bookmaker betting declined by 4.6% from €183m to €174.7m.
Attendances at the festival meetings again provided the main highlights of the year with the Galway September Festival at 12,500 (+ 52%) and the Tramore August Festival at 23,000 (+28%) showing the most dynamic growth. The Punchestown Festival at over 75,000 grew by 15% on the previous year, the Fairyhouse Grand National Festival at 34,000 grew by 7% while the Curragh Guineas Festival at over 18,000 also grew by more than 6%. The Galway Summer Festival at 198,000 and the Leopardstown Christmas Festival at 63,200 both grew by 3%.
Key Statistics 2004
Total Fixtures: Up 0.7% from 303 to 305
Attendances: Down 0.7% from 1,395,833 to 1,386,517
Total Prize Money: Up 4.2% from €50.4m to €52.5m
(Inc. Point to Point):
National Hunt: Up 6.7% from €25.2m to €26.9m
Flat: Up 1.2% from €25.2m to €25.6m
Total Sponsorship: Up 6.9% from €7.1m to €7.6m
Tote Betting: Up 7% from €44.3m to €47.4m
On-Course Bookmakers: Down 4.6% from €183.1m to €174.7m On-Course SP Shops: Up 12.3% from €9.7m to €10.9m New Owner Registrations: Up 17.6% from 850 to 1,000
Other highlights of the year for HRI were the renewal of the Horse and Greyhound racing Fund, the launch of the Racecourse Capital Development Fund, the re-introduction of Irish racing on satellite television and the publication of the Indecon report showing the significant employment and economic contribution made by the racing industry.
In overall terms, on-course betting declined by 1.8%. Bookmakers experienced a decrease of 4.6% from €183m to €174.7m, while on-course SP shops and the Tote showed increases. The on-course SP shops increased from 16 to 18 in number and turnover grew by more than 12% to reach €10.9m. The Tote saw continuous growth throughout the year, up 7% to € 47.4m, achieving its best results at Galway and the Christmas Festival at Leopardstown. The hand-held terminals which were introduced at Easter in Fairyhouse have proved very popular. New Tote accounts business also grew, with a corresponding increase in tele-betting sales.
National Hunt prize-money increased by 6.7% to €26.9m and Flat prize-money increased by 1.2% from €25.2m to €25.6m. New owners' registrations went from 850 to 1,000 and the average number of horses in training went up from 5,672 to 6,004.
Commenting on the figures HRI’s Chief Executive Brian Kavanagh stated:
“We knew that 2004 would be a very competitive market-place, particularly with the Olympics and Euro 2004. In that climate I am delighted to see the continuing dynamism in Irish racing, with most of the key indicators showing satisfactory increases. The significant growth in Tote Betting is a very good measure of the popularity of the racing product with the public. Sponsorship grew by 7% from €7.1m to €7.6m in 2004 and HRI fully expect this trend to continue for 2005 with new sponsorships from Guinness and Kerrygold already secured, together with increased support from Irish Distillers for the Powers Irish Grand National.
Despite having had to cope with very poor weather at times throughout the year, racecourses nonetheless came close to last years all-time high of 1.4m attendances. Some meetings are thankfully almost weather-proof as the Listowel Festival proved its enduring appeal in terrible conditions by attracting almost 93,000 racegoers. We will target growth in advance ticket sales and group bookings, together with increased local marketing support, to help racecourses to cope with adverse conditions. We remain confident that the underlying demand for racing is strong and we expect to see further growth in 2005.”
Further Information contact:
Brian Kavanagh, Chief Executive, ph: 045 842800
Tamarisk Doyle, PR Manager: ph: 045 842841, Mob: 0872936357
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Notes to Editor:
The 2004 Racing Year Reviewed
2004 once again proved a showcase year for Irish Racing talent. Florida Pearl won a record fourth Hennessy Cognac Cup in February in what turned out to be his last racecourse appearance. There were four Irish winners at Cheltenham, with Hardy Eustace topping the table in a 33/1 victory in the Smurfit Champion Hurdle. Punchestown’s Festival provided many racing thrills with wins by Moscow Flyer, Brave Inca, Beef Or Salmon, Rhinestone Cowboy and Hardy Eustace once again defeating Rooster Booster.
There were also four Irish-trained winners at Royal Ascot with John Oxx’s Azamour gaining Group 1 success in the St. James Palace stakes on the opening day. At the Curragh, Dermot Weld’s Grey Swallow beat the Epsom Derby winner North Light to take the Budweiser Irish Derby and the trainer went on to take his third Compaq Galway Plate with Ansar.
The Baileys Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown provided the most memorable race of the year when Azamour came from last to first to snatch victory in the last few strides and one week later at the Curragh Vinnie Roe won his fourth consecutive Irish Field St.Leger for Dermot Weld. On the final day of the 2004 flat season Catherine Gannon created history in becoming the first female to be crowned Champion Apprentice in Ireland.
In early December Jim Bolger’s Alexander Goldrun had a fantastic International victory in the Group 1 Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Cup at Sha Tin Racecourse.
Our National Hunt horses went on to make a great impact on the early season races in England. Moscow Flyer won the Tingle Creek chase at Sandown for the second consecutive year, beating Azertyuiop and Well Chief in a thrilling race. At the Kempton Christmas meeting, Kicking King won the King George VI Steeplechase and Harchibald completed a superb Irish double by winning the Christmas Hurdle.
The year ended with a very successful Christmas Festival at Leopardstown, with Beef Or Salmon a popular winner of the Lexus Steeplechase over old rival Best Mate.
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Statistical Summary
Horse Racing Ireland - the national authority for racing.
Established under the Horse and Greyhound Racing Act 2001.
Irish Thoroughbred Racing Industry Statistics,
Year ended 31st December 2004
Total Fixtures: Up 0.7% from 303 to 305
Point to Point: Up 6.2% from 97 to 103 fixtures
Number Of Races: Up 1.4% from 2,166 to 2,196
Total Prize Money (Incl Point to Point): Up 4.2% from €50.4m to €52.5m
National Hunt: Up 6.7% from €25.2m to €26.9m
Flat: Up 1.2% from €25.2m to €25.6m
Total Number Of Runners: Up 2.74% from 28,902 to 29,696
Total Betting from On-Course: (Tote, On-course Bookmakers & On-Course SP Shops) Down 1.8% from €237.1m to €232.9m
Tote Betting: Up 7% from €44.3m to €47.4m
On-Course Bookmakers: Down 4.6% from €183.1m to €174.7m
On-Course SP Shops: Up 12.3% from €9.7m to €10.9m
Total Sponsorship: Up 6.9% from €7.1m to €7.6m
Avg. Number of Horses in Training: Up 5.9% from 5,672 to 6,004
New Owner Registrations: Up 17.6% from 850 to 1,000
Attendances: Down 0.7% from 1,395,833 to 1,386,517