Horse racing in Ireland
Horse racing in Ireland is intricately linked with
History
Earliest records
Horse racing in Ireland has a very long history. The ancient text
The earliest datable evidence, however, is a 1603 royal warrant entitling the governor of Derry to hold fairs and markets at which horse races could be staged.
Establishment of the sport
Racing became more competitive with the introduction, in 1666, under King Charles II, of the King's Plate Races,
The origin of the
A regulatory body was initially set up as the Society of Sportsmen, changing its name to The Jockey Club by 1755, before taking on its present name of
The first recorded race meet at Laytown took place in 1868, at a time when beach races were a relatively common occurrence.
In the mid-19th century, the racehorse industry saw a decline linked to the aftermath of the Napoleonic wars. Economic strife led to less investment in horse breeding, and capable horses were more likely to be raced in England where the prize money was larger. However, with the expansion of the Irish rail network, racecourses sprung up in new locations, with such large numbers travelling by train to race meetings that railway companies began offering free travel to competing horses.[27]
20th century
The
In the post-independence period, many efforts were made to regulate and support the horse racing industry in Ireland, and a greater effort was made to promote Irish horses internationally.
Measures introduced by these organisations have helped the industry go from strength to strength. The Irish horse racing industry is today worth €1 billion per annum, employs over 14,000 people, and is a major player on the international scene.[32]
Types of racing
Flat
In Ireland, the
National Hunt
National Hunt racing, or Jump racing, is run year-round in Ireland, but the main season takes place from November until the end of April, coinciding with the lull of the flat racing season. Run over a minimum of 2 miles, National Hunt races require the horses to clear a number of obstacles.[33]
There are three types of National Hunt race:[33]
- Steeplechase is run over fences varying in size and height.
- Hurdle is run over hurdles measuring 3' 1" in height.
- Turf Club. Many successful Irish National Hunt horses, including a number of Gold Cup and Grand National winners, began their careers over point-to-point courses.[35][36][37]
Steeplechase and Hurdle races are held each year at 23 courses, of which 3 run exclusively National Hunt races.[34]
Other
A number of other types of horse racing take place in Ireland, including Harness racing[38][39][40] and Endurance racing.[41][42][43]
Racecourses
There are 26 major racecourses in Ireland,
List of major Irish racecourses
Horse Racing Ireland recognises the following racecourses:[46]
- Bellewstown
- The Curragh
- Dundalk
- Fairyhouse
- Gowran Park
- Kilbeggan
- Laytown
- Leopardstown
- Naas
- Navan
- Punchestown
- Wexford
Races have previously been held under the Rules of Racing at a number of other locations. Races were held at Tralee until 2008, when the course was sold for redevelopment.[54][55] Unaffiliated races are frequently held at many locations throughout the country.[56][52][57][53]
Major festivals
The main races in the Irish horseracing calendar are the Irish Derby, the Irish Champion Stakes, the Irish Oaks, the Irish 1,000 Guineas and the Irish 2,000 Guineas.[b] The minimum prize money per race in Ireland is currently (2017) set at €9,000, with the highest average prize money per race in Europe. In 2016, the total prize money awarded was €56.8 million.[51]
April
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Irish Thoroughbred breeding
Thoroughbred breeding is an important economic activity in Ireland. There are over 43,000 Thoroughbreds in Ireland, 35% of the country's equine population;[58] there are more horses per head of population than in any other European country.[10][59] More than 80% of these Irish-bred Thoroughbreds are exported to 37 countries, generating an estimated €229 million per year;[60][61] nearly 80% of these exports are to Great Britain.[58] Ireland is the largest producer of Thoroughbreds in the EU, producing 40% of the EU's Thoroughbreds,[58][62][63] and the fourth-largest in the world;[58][59] additionally, 4 of the top 10 stallions in Europe are based in Ireland.[61]
It has been suggested that the success of Irish Thoroughbreds, both at home and abroad, is partly due to its climate and geography;[64][10][59][58][65] the wet, temperate climate and limestone-rich soil encourages the growth of calcium-containing grass,[10][65] while the mild temperatures and lack of seasonal variability allow year-round grazing.[63]
Horse racing in Irish society
Ireland is seen by many as a "horse nation".[10][59][65] A recurring part of Irish culture, the horse has been romanticised in art and literature for many centuries.[10][21] In particular, the Thoroughbred, and horse racing in general, is seen as one of the country's main traditions:[66][67]
The tradition of racing runs very deep in Ireland. It is here that steeplechasing was born; it is here that many of the most illustrious horses in racing history have been bred over the course of several centuries. In terms of geology and climate, our country is an ideal location for the raising of young horses.
— Submission by the Irish Racehorse Trainers Association to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine[66]
Thoroughbred breeding in Ireland is intricately linked with Irish rural life and community.[68] Horse breeding and training is a key economic player in regions of the country where there are few employment opportunities.[66] Horse race attendance is a strong contributor to tourism, with approximately 80,000 people travelling to Ireland annually to attend racing events.[60]
Key entities
Jockeys
Dennis Fitzpatrick was the first professional Irish jockey to race in England, particularly noted for taking part in match races towards the turn of the 19th century,[69] beginning a long history of professional Irish jockeys in the United Kingdom.[70]
In Ireland it is not uncommon for jockeys to ride in both National Hunt and Flat races,[71] however, the weight allowance for Flat is lower than that of National Hunt. A valid Flat or National Hunt licence must be held to ride in either type of race.[72] Point-to-point races are open only to non-professional jockeys, who must register as "Qualified Riders" but need not meet the requirements for Flat or National Hunt licences.[35][73]
Trainers
The Turf Club is responsible for licensing trainers.[74] There are over 700 licensed trainers in the country, the majority of which are licensed to train horses for both Flat and National Hunt, although they usually specialise in one. For the duration of its training, the horse is stabled with the trainer, who is responsible for its general upkeep, as well as training.[75]
Owners and breeders
In Ireland, racehorses may be owned solely, in partnership or in syndicate. Roughly 8,000 Thoroughbreds are born each year,[61] with 20% of the yearly foal crop publicly auctioned by bloodstock auction houses, such as Tattersalls and Goffs.[76][77][10] They may also be sold directly by trainers, breeders or agents.[77] Racehorse owners are the largest source of income to the Irish racehorse industry, contributing over €400 million each year.[60]
There are over 6,000 registered breeders in the country, 93% of which have fewer than 5 broodmares.[58]
Organisations
Horse racing organisations are funded through a number of sources, including membership fees, taxation of betting, a foal registration levy, profits from the Tote, and direct contribution from the Government of the Republic of Ireland.[78]
The Turf Club, established in 1790, is the regulatory body for Horse racing in Ireland, including both Flat and National Hunt racing, and incorporates the Irish National Hunt Steeplechase Committee (INHSC). One of the main functions is the provision of stewards to implement Rules of Racing during races.[81][80] In January 2018 a new organisation, the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board, will become the regulatory body for horse racing in Ireland.[82]
The Irish Thoroughbred Breeders' Association (ITBA) represents the Thoroughbred breeding industry both in Ireland and abroad, and is involved with a number of industry bodies. Its activities also include the monitoring of equine diseases and dissemination of veterinary information to its members.[83][84]
The Irish Racehorse Trainers Association (IRTA) was founded in 1950 to represent licensed racehorse trainers in Ireland and, today, has a membership of almost 430 individuals.[85][80]
The Association of Irish Racehorse Owners (AIRO) is the official representative body for racehorse owners in Ireland, and has over 1,900 members.[86][48]
The Association of Irish Racecourse Owners (AIR) was established in 1964 to further the interests of racecourses and represent their owners. Its membership comprises all Irish racecourses.[45][84]
The Irish Jockeys Association (IJA) represents jockeys in the industry, and is notable for running, in association with the Turf Club, the Irish Jockey's Trust, which supports jockeys and former jockeys in difficulty.[87][88][89][48]
The Irish Stablestaff Association (ISSA) lobbies for improved working conditions and pay for stable staff.[90][84]
See also
- Horse Racing Ireland
- Horse racing in Great Britain
- List of Irish flat horse races
- List of Irish National Hunt races
- Irish flat racing Champion Jockey
- Irish jump racing Champion Jockey
- Racehorses trained in Ireland
Notes
- ^ Some sources place the formation of the INHSC at 1866, but this is when its British counterpart, the Grand National Hunt Committee, was recognised by the Jockey Club
- ^ Listed in order of prize money, these races all appear in the 2011 list of the 380 richest horse races in the world, at positions 52, 141, 286, 357 and 358, respectively
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