Irish
racing’s budget for 2018 was approved at the Horse Racing Ireland (HRI) Board
meeting on Monday December 18 and will deliver on commitments previously made,
including those in the areas of prizemoney, people training, integrity services
and point-to-points.
Prudence in previous years has enabled HRI to build up reserves and those funds
will be needed to carry out budgeted programmes in 2018.
Prizemoney next year will rise by €2.2m to a record figure of €63.3m. This is
due in part to eight extra fixtures to be staged, enhanced support for the
inaugural Dublin Racing Festival in February and the full year effect of
programmes introduced in 2017. Prizemoney grants for point-to-points will
increase by 23%.
There will be continued capital funding for racecourses to enhance the
experience for the general public, those working in the industry, and
owners.
Major capital projects are on-going at the Curragh, Galway, Naas and
Punchestown, with many other racecourse improvements underway or due to
commence in 2018, supported by grant aid from HRI.
These include the development of a new straight seven furlong track at Cork, an
upgrade of the stable yard and stable staff facilities at Tramore, track
widening and drainage at Fairyhouse and a new entrance at Ballinrobe.
2018 will also see the commencement of the next phase of the redevelopment of
Leopardstown Racecourse comprising a €15m development including new weighroom,
saddling boxes, bars, restaurants and public facilities. Expressions of
interest for this project are currently being sought.
There is an increased commitment to integrity services, with an allocation of
€9.1m for the year.
There will be further investment in HRI’s ownership department, with an
increase in promotional activities in Britain and America, as well as increased
investment in marketing and communications.
A structured programme for industry staff training and welfare projects will be
implemented in 2018, including the formal launch of the Jockey Pathway
programme which has been running successfully as a pilot for a number of
months.
HRI Chief Executive, Brian Kavanagh,said: “Despite the static
nature of the Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund in 2018, the Board has opted to
invest further in policies which will develop and grow the industry.
“The Deloitte Report which was published in September 2017 clearly established
the value of the thoroughbred industry to the economy in Ireland at €1.84
billion per annum, while 2017 saw probably the greatest ever level of success
on the track and in the sales ring for Irish trained and Irish bred
horses. These successes are being recognised on a daily basis at this
time of the year in the various national sports awards.
“The Budget approved for 2018 by the HRI Board will stimulate future revenue
streams for the industry and provide development opportunities for the
industry’s most important resource – the people that work in it.
“The priority for 2018 will be to develop sustainable income streams for the
industry and to work with Government to put in place a long term permanent
funding basis for the sector. The measures announced today are
sustainable in the short-term only as the result of prudence in previous
years. However in the absence of a funding solution, these programmes are
not sustainable in the long-term.
“Given the challenges provided by Brexit and the infrastructural issues facing
the industry, the need for this solution is greater than ever.
“While prizemoney will be up to a record level of €63.3m, it is worth pointing
out that ten years ago, in 2008, the total prize fund in Ireland was €60.4m
with 21 fewer fixtures than will be run next year.
“HRI will continue to maintain the minimum prizemoney value at €10,000 for any
race in Ireland along with the higher base values which were introduced for
point of entry races during 2017. We will also provide additional financial support
for initiatives designed to allow smaller owners and trainers to be
competitive, such as the 2yo auction race programme and the further development
of an equivalent national hunt series. We are supporting the extra fixtures
planned for 2018 and investing in the new Dublin Racing Festival in early
February and the Longines Irish Champions Weekend in September.
“On the racecourse capital development side, 2018 will be an important year as
it will see the final grant allocations from the 2015 to 2019 Capital Grant
Programme, the commencement of the next phase of the Leopardstown redevelopment
and the completion of major developments at the Curragh, Galway, Naas and
Punchestown. We are also looking forward to the opening of the new
straight seven furlong track at Cork.
“Increased investment in staff, training and welfare projects is welcome and
together with the funding provided to RACE, comprises an overall investment of
€1.4m in industry training and education."
HRI Budget 2018 Features
Prizemoney levels and distribution
Prizemoney will increase by €2.2m in 2018, reaching an all-time high of €63.3m.
This reflects a planned increase of eight fixtures compared to the original
2017 schedule and enhanced prizemoney for the inaugural Dublin Racing Festival
in 2018. It also reflects the full year financial impact of the increased
values introduced during 2017 to the lower tier point of entry races, including
the overall minimum race value of €10,000.
Other initiatives in receipt of continued support in 2018 include the further
development of the 2yo auction race series, the auction novice series over
hurdles and increased support for flat staying races.
These have been supported by the Irish European Breeders’ Fund and the Irish
EBF’s overall sponsorship contribution will to rise by €200,000 to €2.2 million
next year.
Ownership
Driving sustainable ownership is a key issue for the industry and for
maintaining and increasing levels of employment. To this end, 2018 will see a
continuation of trainer marketing supports.
A number of new ownership promotions, domestic and international, are planned
for 2018.
The HRI Ownership Department will continue to work with all stakeholders on
improving the ownership experience in Ireland, with particular focus on racecourse
facilities and additional benefits attached to racehorse ownership.
In November 2017, the Association of Irish Racecourses announced increased
raceday ticketing allocation for racehorse owners in Ireland.
Marketing and Communications
2018 will see a significant investment in marketing and communications,
including marketing support for racecourses.
This will see HRI work directly with racecourses to target specific meetings
for growth. A number of HRI regional roadshow events are planned for 2018, to
engage with the various stakeholders in the industry and explain support
services available to those in the industry.
Point-to-points
Point-to-point prizemoney will increase by €161,000 in 2018, resulting in
increases in prizemoney for all races other than 4yo and 5yo maidens.
The administration grants for point-to-points will be maintained at the
increased level of €6,500 per fixture in 2018 (previously €4,500 per fixture).
Integrity Services
An allocation of €9.1m has been approved for integrity services, which includes
funding for an injury management database and for CCTV installation at a number
of racecourses stable yards.
Industry and Education
2018 will see a focus on embedding career pathways within the industry and
providing adequate training and support structures for a broader range of
people working in the industry.
The Jockey Pathway programme has been running successfully as a ‘pilot’
programme for a number of months and will be officially launched in early 2018.
Irish Thoroughbred Marketing
With Brexit posing significant challenges for the Irish bloodstock sector, 2018
will see an allocation of €1.095m from HRI and a further €450,000 from the
Thoroughbred Foal Levy to Irish Thoroughbred Marketing with the emphasis on
protecting the UK market and developing new markets wherever possible.
Plus 10
Horse Racing Ireland will continue to support the Plus 10 Bonus Scheme in 2018
which will see 100 bonuses of €12,500 distributed amongst qualified winners of
Irish flat races.
Irish Equine Centre
Funding for the Irish Equine Centre will increase to €2.22m in 2018.
The Equine Centre carries out a pivotal role in the industry and Horse Racing
Ireland is working with the Centre to develop a long term vision for an Irish
equine campus which will be a centre of excellence for diagnostics, research
and disease surveillance. This will require capital investment which is
the subject of ongoing discussions with the HRI Board.
Capital Projects
The 2018 capital budget provides for the continued development of the Racing
Administration System (RAS) which is operated by Horse Racing Ireland, together
with provisions for new sets of starting stalls at Killarney and Tipperary.