Horse Racing Ireland Fact Book 2010
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HORSE RACING IRELAND FACT BOOK 2010 CONTENTS CHIEF EXECutive’s INTRO 02 STATISTICS Top Ten Flat and NH Horses 56 Attendance 28 Exports 58 RACING REVIEW 04 On-Course Betting 32 Trainers, Riders and Staff 61 January 04 Off-Course Betting 33 Irish Classifications 62 February 06 Tote 33 Owners, Trainers & Jockeys 65 March 08 Betting by Racecourse 35 April 10 Breeding 37 2011 FIXTURE LIST 70 May 12 Irish Sales 37 MAJOR NH & FLAT RACES 2011 72 June 14 Horses in Training 38 MAP OF RACECOURSES 73 July 16 Ownership 39 GO RACING KIDS CLUB 74 August 18 Fixtures 40 HRI AMBASSADORS 75 September 20 Entries and Runners 42 CROWNING OF CHAMPIONS 76 October 22 Balloting 47 MICHAEL KINANE CELEBRATION 77 November 24 Prize Money 49 HRI AWARDS 2010 78 December 26 Sponsorship 53 PHOTO INDEX 80 FACTBOOK 2010 1 [ iNTrOduCTiON ] half since 2007, from 1,449 to 776, and total horses in training down from 12,188 to 11,136 INTRODUCTION over the same period. This clearly highlights the negative impact of reduced prize money levels, due to the reduced funding received from Government and other sources. The falls in participation and prize money have direct effects on employment within 2O1O the racing industry, which has already n behalf of Horse Racing lost thousands of jobs. These trends pose Ireland, I am very pleased to a continuing threat to the skills base present this sixth edition of the which has underpinned Irish racing’s OIrish Racing Fact Book, which unparalleled international success during covers 2010. We have once again attempted the past decade. to incorporate a wide range of statistical data relating to the racing and breeding Betting on-course declined by a further 10% industry in Ireland, ranging from the levels in 2010, giving an overall drop from €282m in of fixtures, runners, attendances and prize 2007 to €164m in 2010. The on-course betting money, to the output of the breeding sector market is being hit by the fall in disposable and the betting turnover generated on and income and the accelerating trend towards off course. We would as always welcome online and off-shore betting. 2010 brought suggestions for any further additions a welcome realisation by all political parties or improvements to the content for that on-line and telephone betting must be future years. levied on an equal basis with the high street shops to ensure a meaningful return to Racecourse attendances and bloodstock racing. The commitment to introduce sales in 2010 produced the first hopeful signs that levy has now been enshrined in for the industry since Ireland’s economic legislation and HRI looks forward to its downturn began in 2008. The average speedy implementation in 2011. Linked “2010 brought attendance at race meetings in 2010 of to long-term security of funding for the a welcome 3,586 was exactly the same as in 2009, and industry, it will give racing the means to drive realisation by all bloodstock sales at €68m were marginally real recovery and secure jobs throughout political parties ahead on the previous year. These were the Irish rural economy. welcome indicators of some levelling-off that on-line in an industry which is still feeling the full Finally, I congratulate all the leading and telephone force of recession, and they are a positive owners, trainers, jockeys and horses listed betting must indication that racing can work its way in this publication for their outstanding be levied on an through the challenges it faces. contributions last year, and I wish them and all others involved in this vitally equal basis with Regrettably, however, many other key important industry a successful 2011. the high street performance figures continued to fall: Racing remains at the forefront of Irish shops to ensure a sporting achievement, as evidenced by the meaningful return • On-Course Betting down 10% to success of Irish jockey AP McCoy in being €164 million crowned BBC Sports Personality of the to racing.” • Total Prize-Money down 13% to Year in Britain for 2010, and HRI remains €46 million committed to its central mission ‘to develop • Sponsorship down 17% to €5 million and promote Ireland as a world centre of (excludes sales races) excellence for racing and breeding the • Average Horses in Training down 11% thoroughbred horse’. to 5,769 • Total Number of Owners down 9% Brian Kavanagh, to 4,667 Chief Executive The level of participation in racing continued to weaken in 2010, with new owners registered during the year down by almost 2 FACTBOOK 2010 40 FACTBOOK 2010 3 [ MONTHLY REVIEW] his maiden over hurdles in the best possible style. Given an immensely strong ride by John Cullen, the eight-year-old led at the last and ground out a game 1/2-length victory at the main expense of no JANUARY less than three Willie Mullins-trained horses. The following day the Grade 1 Toshiba Irish Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown was the focus of most people’s attentions and it proved well 2O1O worth the wait, with the Charles Byrnes-trained he story that dominated the Irish Solwhit running out the authoritative winner. racing scene at the beginning Ridden by Davy Russell, the exciting six-year-old of 2010 was unquestionably the capitalised on the underperformance of Celestial Twintry conditions that decimated Halo to draw on close home and record a cosy 41/2 the racing calendar in Britain and Ireland, as lengths success. The other Grade 1 on the card was well as severely limiting the work that many the Frank Ward Solicitors Arkle Novice Chase and it trainers could do with their charges. Five saw a winning ride of the highest class from David meetings were lost in Ireland in the opening Casey on An Cathaoir Mor. Henry De Bromhead’s weeks of the year and racing in Britain charge was given an extremely patient ride prior to ground to a halt for many days. swooping to the lead on the run-in and recording a 11/4 lengths success. The opening day of the year brought news that the dual Champion Hurdle hero Hardy The world’s newest and most spectacular Eustace had been retired after being beaten racecourse opened for business in Dubai at the in a conditions hurdle at Punchestown the backend of the month with the first ever meeting previous day. Dessie Hughes’ charge, who being run at Meydan. The mesmerising complex, had just turned 13 years of age, gained no less which is said to have cost over $2 billion to build than 14 victories during his career, namely played host to a highly-exciting card of action and in a bumper, 12 hurdles (including seven at with the grass course not yet bedded in, the Tapeta The opening Grade 1 level) and one on the Flat. He will surface staged the action. day of the year be best remembered for his three wins at brought news the Cheltenham Festival, most famously The month was closed out by a high-class card at that the dual in the 2004 and 2005 renewals of the Punchestown and without doubt the highlight was Champion Hurdle. the clash between Golden Silver and Big Zeb in the Champion Hurdle Grade 2 Punchestown Pavilion Tied Cottage Chase hero Hardy The first big race of the year was the and it was the latter performer that emerged the Eustace had Tendrleen Thyestes Handicap Chase at comfortable victor. With Golden Silver being let been retired. Gowran Park and it was won by the Jimmy down by his jumping, the winner readily capitalised, Mangan-trained Whinstone Boy. Ridden by jumping into the lead at the fourth last fence under He will be best Sean Flanagan, the nine-year-old produced Barry Geraghty and never looking in serious danger remembered for a gritty display of front-running on his way thereafter, eventually coming home seven lengths his three wins at to recording a game 13/4 lengths success. The clear of his main rival. the Cheltenham main supporting race to the feature event was the Grade 2 Alo Duffin Memorial Galmoy Festival, most Hurdle and it produced a hugely-popular famously in the result, with the former Cheltenham Gold Cup 2004 and 2005 winner War Of Attrition returning to winning renewals of the ways for Mouse Morris and Slippers Madden. The 11-year-old made all the running and Champion Hurdle. kept on gamely to see off the challenge of Powerstation by four lengths. The MCR Hurdle was the main event on the first day of a two-day meeting at Leopardstown the following weekend and it saw the John Mulhern-trained Puyol break 4 FACTBOOK 2010 JANUARY2O1O JANUARY ATTENDANCE FIXTURES TOTE BOOKMAKERS SP SHOP NO OF RUNNERS 2010 34,731 15 1,345,497 5,106,436 641,419 1,073 2009 43,950 15 1,966,222 7,077,899 632,731 1,400 Variance -9,219 0 -620,725 -1,971,463 8,688 -327 % Var -14.1% 0% -32% -27.9% 1.4% -23.4% 40 FACTBOOK 2010 5 [ MONTHLY REVIEW] Russell and had to pull out all the stops to hold off the late charge of Mourad by a head. One of the best established Irish prep races for the FEBRUARY Aintree Grand National, the Grade 2 At The Races Bobbyjo Chase, took place the following weekend at Fairyhouse and it saw a remarkable training performance from Dessie Hughes, with him saddling the first two home. The Paddy Flood-ridden Vic 2O1O Venturi led home the charge by eight lengths, with he month was opened by one of the Roger Loughran-ridden Black Apalachi finishing Ireland’s top novice chasers Captain well to take the runner-up position.