Irish racecourses will be permitted to increase their outdoor capacity by “up to 50%” for upcoming meets from 6 September, as part of the government’s latest COVID-19 response roadmap. Under the new guidelines, racecourses across Ireland will also be permitted to operate at 60% indoor capacity “for hospitality purposes” – however racegoers must be consuming food and beverages in addition …
Read More »
Horse Racing Ireland (HRI) has permitted race tracks across the country to allow crowds of up to 500 to attend fixtures, including racecourse members and general spectators. As reported by the Racing Post, the Irish horse racing authority has confirmed that it is ultimately the decision of individual racecourses to decide capacity limits, following the decision by the government to …
Read More »
Horse Racing Ireland (HRI) is looking for a new CEO as current incumbent Brian Kavanagh has announced he will be vacating the position in September this year. As CEO of the governing body responsible for horse racing in Ireland, Kavanagh oversaw several major milestones and challenges during his tenure, including the implementation of the country’s updated betting tax framework, closely …
Read More »
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 …
Read More »
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 …
Read More »
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 …
Read More »
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 …
Read More »
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, …
Read More »
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 …
Read More »
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 …
Read More »
SBC News Voice of the Sports Betting Industry