Betting and crowd figures surge as Irish racing grows.

Byline: Tony O'Hehir

AN INCREASE in the number of fixtures and races in Ireland has contributed to significant growth in attendance and betting figures, according to statistics issued yesterday for the first six months of this year, writes Tony O'Hehir.

Total attendances at race meetings in Ireland from January 1 to June 30 were up 61,657 on the same six-month period last year. This represents an increase of 13 per cent to 542,959.

The number of meetings held totalled 134, an increase of 15 on last year, while an extra 104 races were run compared with the same period in 2002.

Betting with on-course bookmakers was up 15 per cent, or EUR10.4m, at EUR80.4m, while Tote betting of EUR18m was up EUR2.7m, an increase of 18 per cent.

Horse Racing Ireland chief executive Brian Kavanagh said: "The figures are most encouraging taken against the background of a general economic slowdown and they point to this being another successful year for Irish racing.

"Obviously the extra fixtures included this year have achieved their objective in providing more opportunities for owners and their horses, resulting in additional prize-money, sponsorship, attendances and betting."

Prize-money was up EUR2.1m at EUR22m, an increase of 10.6 per cent with total sponsorship at EUR3.2m, up 11.4 per cent.

Kavanagh also highlighted the new balloting system, which was introduced early this year, and the decision of the Tote to reduce its retention rates on races with ten or less runners from 20 per cent to 10 per cent as positive moves.

He also noted Tote track records set at Gowran Park on Thystes Chase day, Punchestown on Heineken Gold Cup day and The Curragh on Irish Derby Day.