As Ireland mulls over whether to impose further lockdown measures, a letter published by the chief medical officer of the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) has suggested that Irish racing could be exempt from a level 5 shutdown. In a letter to the Health Minister Stephen Donnelly, NPHET CMO Dr Tony Holohan made a specific reference to racing being …
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Under new guidance from the Irish government, crowds at Irish racecourses are due to be limited to a maximum of 500 people for the next six months. The guidance, according to Horse Racing Ireland chief executive Brian Kavanagh, is a ‘real concern’ for both the sport and Irish tracks – many of which have suffered as a result of the …
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Marking the return of racing, Horse Racing Ireland (HRI) has secured a new broadcast agreement with Raidió Teilifís Éireann (RTÉ) to boost the coverage of the sport. As part of the agreement, RTÉ confirmed that it will be launching a series of new one-hour evening programmes on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays in June and early July. Coverage will be presented …
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The Irish government has given the green light for horse racing to resume behind closed doors, with fixtures able to resume from 8 June. In accordance with government guidelines, only key personnel necessary to run the fixture will be permitted to be on-site, and will be subject to a health survey and thermal temperature screening on entry. Brian Kavanagh, Chief …
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Horse Racing Ireland (HRI) has secured a new seven-year alliance with Tote Ireland and the UK Tote Group which will ensure the continuity of Tote on-course service on Irish racecourses. From 1 January 1 2021, UK Tote Group will operate Tote Ireland’s off-course business, allowing Tote Ireland to build a stronger and more agile on-course presence in Ireland. Nicky Hartery, …
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Horse Racing Ireland (HRI) has confirmed that race meetings will go ahead, but will be ‘held in strict adherence to Government guidelines regarding COVID-19’. The decision, which is reported to be motivated by employment and incomes for those across the sector, will see all fixtures staged without spectators. Nicky Hartery, Chairman of Horse Racing Ireland, said: “These are unprecedented and sombre …
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Horse Racing Ireland (HRI) has set out six strategic priorities for the Irish racing industry as part of its new five-year strategic plan. The new strategy, which will run from 2020 through to 2024, is hoped to increase the annual economic contribution of the industry to €2.5 billion, as well as provide a boost annual attendances to 1.5 million. Horse …
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The on-course betting sector in Ireland continued to grow throughout 2019, with Horse Racing Ireland (HRI) reporting a 6.6% increase in turnover. Previously, the betting ring had seen its turnover fall by 75% over the last 10 years, however the latest figures have shown a revival in on-course betting, with bookies handling €58.4m. HRI Chief Executive Brian Kavanagh said: “Horse …
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Online sports betting operator MansionBet has announced the expansion of its current horse racing sponsorships into Ireland for 2020 with Horse Racing Ireland (HRI). As a result of the deal, the Gibraltar-based operator is now set to sponsor over 60 events throughout the UK & Ireland, including Doncaster, Newmarket, Newbury, Cork, Naas and Fairyhouse. Dana Bocker, Head of Integrated Marketing at Mansion, …
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Horse Racing Ireland (HRI) is reported to be in discussions with a number of third parties over the sale of all or part of Tote Ireland to private interests, with an extensive review of the Tote already taking place. Reported by The Irish Times, the Tote has faced a number of challenges in recent years, having struggled to compete with …
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