Factbook 2017
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
HORSE RACING IRELAND FACTBOOK 2017 CONTENTS INTRODUCTION 02 Fixtures 30 NATIONAL HUNT REVIEW 04 Entries and Runners 32 FLAT SEASON REVIEW 06 Balloting 37 MARKETING REVIEW 08 Prize-Money 39 RACECOURSE DIVISION REVIEW 10 Sponsorship 43 IRISH THOROUGHBRED MARKETING REVIEW 12 Trainers, Riders and Staff 45 TOTE IRELAND REVIEW 14 Leading Horses 46 Exports 48 STATISTICS 15 Classifications 51 Attendance 16 Owners, Trainers and Jockeys 56 On-Course Betting 20 Off-Course Betting 2018 21 FIXTURE LIST 62 Tote 21 MAJOR RACES 2018 64 Betting by MAP Racecourse OF 22 RACECOURSES 66 Breeders 25 MAP OF BREEDERS AND TRAINERS 67 Irish Sales THE HRI25 AWARDS 2017 68 Overseas Winners CROWNING 26 THE CHAMPIONS 70 Horses in STUD TrainingAND STABLE 28STAFF AWARDS 72 Ownership 29 PHOTOGRAPHY INDEX 73 2017 CONTENTS CONTENTS HORSE RACING IRELAND FACTBOOK 2017 1 INTRODUCTION 2017 the value of Irish-foaled exports sold at increases in entries and runners for both public auction was €271.5m, with clients Flat and National Hunt racing, with the from 31 different countries investing in average field size increasing from 11.2 to Irish bloodstock 11.5 runners overall. In 2017, Flat entries Tote Ireland saw a seventh successive were up by 10.4% and runners by 5.7%, year of turnover growth. Revenue grew while National Hunt figures also rose, 7.2% from €96.8m to €103.8m in the year. with overall increases in entries (2%) and This growth was driven by betting into runners (1.7%) Irish pools (up 9.5%) and international Our sector is facing a series of pools (up 11.1%). On-course betting (Tote challenges in the areas of funding, and Bookmakers) declined by 6.2%, infrastructure, staffing and in particular reflecting the continuing challenge being Brexit and Horse Racing Ireland is experienced by all on-course operators. engaging with Government, stakeholders Racecourse attendances in 2017 and our international counterparts on decreased by 3%, impacted by the reduced these matters. We have great ambition to numbers at the Curragh, in particular the build on the growth and success of 2017 Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby and day two and look forward to engaging with the of the Longines Irish Champions Weekend. industry on these plans. We look forward to the completion of the Horse racing generates a very On behalf of Horse Racing Ireland, I am redevelopment in 2019, when the Curragh significant return to the rural economy in pleased to present the thirteenth edition will have facilities to match the world class Ireland and positive international profile of the Irish Racing Factbook, which looks action on the track. Attendances at the for our country. The Sports Business back on 2017. This 72-page publication major jumps festivals in the first six months Group at Deloitte, in their report into the contains a wide-range of statistics relating of 2017 were very strong, highlighted by Economic Impact of Irish Breeding and 2017 to the racing and breeding industry Punchestown’s Spring Festival, which Racing 2017, published in September, in Ireland, covering fixtures, runners, attracted a record attendance of 122,557. estimated that the industry contributes attendances, prize-money, the output European Breeders Fund (EBF) €1.84bn annually to the Irish economy, of the breeding sector and the betting sponsorship grew by 15.8%, and supporting directly and indirectly, almost turnover generated on and off-course. commercial sponsorship continued its 29,000 jobs. Despite our size, we are the Please let us know if there are any other recovery, growing by another 3%. This third biggest producers of thoroughbred areas that should be covered as we aim to upward trend is very encouraging and foals in the world and estimates place produce a comprehensive overview of all shows that confidence in horse racing’s Ireland only behind the United States as relevant statistics. appeal as an advertising and promotional the biggest seller of bloodstock by public INTRODUCTION 2017 will be committed to the memory vehicle for business is strong. auction globally. as a stellar year for Irish racing with Prize-money grew by 7.6% to €61.1m As proven in 2017, Irish owners, trainers, nineteen Irish-trained winners at the with a further increase of €2.2m (3.6%) jockeys and horses are setting standards Cheltenham festival setting the tone for a budgeted for 2018. HRI remains globally and I wish everyone involved in year of international success, followed by committed to increasing prize-money to this important national industry a very a Melbourne Cup success for 24-year-old remain competitive with our European successful 2018. trainer Joseph O’Brien, and a world record counterparts and to attract and retain 28 Group and Grade 1 Flat winners for his racehorse owners in Ireland. Brian Kavanagh father, Aidan. The rise in active owners is reflected in Chief Executive Irish bloodstock sales increased for the eighth consecutive year with the value of Irish bloodstock sold at public auction being €175.6m, up 7% on the 2016 figures. Irish-bred horses continued to dominate at the highest levels internationally and “IRISH BLOODSTOCK SALES INCREASED FOR THE EIGHTH CONSECUTIVE YEAR WITH THE VALUE OF IRISH BLOODSTOCK SOLD AT PUBLIC AUCTION BEING €175.6M, UP 7% ON THE 2016 FIGURES.” 2 HORSE RACING IRELAND FACTBOOK 2017 HORSE RACING IRELAND FACTBOOK 2017 3 “2017 WILL BE COMMITTED TO THE MEMORY AS A STELLAR YEAR FOR IRISH RACING WITH NINETEEN IRISH-TRAINED WINNERS AT THE CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL SETTING THE TONE FOR A YEAR OF INTERNATIONAL SUCCESS, FOLLOWED BY A MELBOURNE CUP SUCCESS FOR 24-YEAR-OLD TRAINER JOSEPH O’BRIEN, AND A WORLD RECORD 28 GROUP AND GRADE 1 WINNERS FOR HIS FATHER, AIDAN.” 2017 INTRODUCTION 2 HORSE RACING IRELAND FACTBOOK 2017 HORSE RACING IRELAND FACTBOOK 2017 3 NATIONAL HUNT REVIEW OF 2017 Hunt Festival at Punchestown. At the turn of the year, he trailed Elliott by €220,000 and the young pretender consolidated his position in January with three big wins, shared with Jack Kennedy. The pair won the first Grade 1 of the year, with Death Duty successful in the Lawlor’s Hotel Novice Hurdle at Naas and then Ball D’Arc and A Toi Phil helped maintain their trainer’s remarkable winning streak in the biggest of handicap chases. Mullins’ victory with Bacardys, ridden by his son Patrick in the Grade 1 Deloitte Novice Hurdle at Leopardstown in early February was matched by Elliott taking the Grade 1 Spring Juvenile Hurdle with Mega Fortune on the same card. Mullins had the better of the exchanges at the Fairyhouse Easter Festival but still trailed In terms of winners saddled and Russell partnered Some Plan to win the his great rival by a little over €400,000 prize-money won, two trainers were well Frank Ward Solicitors Arkle Novice Chase on the eve of the Punchestown festival. on top in 2017. The gap between Willie and Mullins was again in the saddle as The reigning champion made a bright 2017 Mullins and Gordon Elliott might well Petit Mouchoir won the BHP Insurance start to the final week of the season when be closing, but the pair continue to hold Irish Champion Hurdle to complete winning the Herald Champion Novice OF sway over their contemporaries. a Grade 1 double on the day for the Hurdle with Cilaos Emery, ridden by David But it wasn’t all about the big two. Others Knockeen, County Waterford trainer. Mullins. On the second day of the festival, had their moments in the spotlight. Noel Meade bagged four top-level while Elliott bounced back with success Jessica Harrington, Henry De Bromhead races during the year. Disko gave Sean for Champagne Classic (Bryan Cooper) in REVIEW and Noel Meade enjoyed continued Flanagan his first Grade 1 success in the the Irish Daily Mirror Novice Hurdle and success at the very highest level. Joseph Flogas Novice Chase at Leopardstown with Fayonagh, ridden by Jamie Codd, in O’Brien was a big winner at the Galway in February while at Fairyhouse two the Racing Post Champion Bumper, the Festival while there was notable success months later, Road To Respect was the number of placed horses in the biggest during the year for Ellmarie Holden and winner of the Ryanair Gold Cup under races, including Penhill and Djakadam, John Joe Walsh. Bryan Cooper. Having missed the first six emanating from Closutton was beginning Sizing John and Our Duke were Jessica weeks of the year through injury, Cooper to make a difference. Harrington’s star preformers. Benefitting was back in the saddle as Disko took There were three British-trained winners from a step up in trip, Sizing John went the Growise Champion Novice Chase at on day three of the festival, but Mullins on a winning run that began at Thurles Punchestown. Flanagan ended 2017 on was beginning to turn the screw. Nichols NATIONAL HUNT NATIONAL in January and took in the Grade 1 Stan a high when taking the Leopardstown Canyon just lost out to Harry Fry’s James Irish Gold Cup at Leopardstown, Christmas Chase, the final Grade 1 of the Unowhatimeanharry in the Ladbrokes the Timico Cheltenham Gold Cup and year, on Road To Respect. Champion Stayers Hurdle, gaining the Coral Punchestown Gold Cup. He While Grade 1 success eluded him in 2017, valuable prize-money in the process and became the first horse to win three Gold Joseph O’Brien was also among the big better was to come for his trainer as Great Cups in the same season and returned to winners. He won the year’s richest prize Field gave Jody McGarvey a first Grade 1 Punchestown in early December to win over hurdles as Tigris River and Barry victory in the Ryanair Chase.