There are currently 26 racecourses in Ireland who, between them, hold about 380 race meetings each year. The sport currently attracts annual attendances of 1.3 million people. Participants include owners, trainers, jockeys, stable staff, Turf Club stewards and officials. Support staff would include Horse Racing Ireland (HRI) officials and various racecourse and other personnel. A sizeable proportion of the participants (owners, stewards and some racecourse personnel) would be unpaid.
Horse racing in Ireland is a very successful sport and presents Ireland in a very good light on the international stage where we compete effectively with the best in the world on a regular basis.