The horse breeding and racing industry supports almost 1,000 jobs in Galway, Mayo and Roscommon according to an economic impact study for the West region conducted by Horse Racing Ireland and Deloitte.
Published today, the study highlights the economic reach of the industry in the West – fuelling annual expenditure of over €120m - and has found that the most significant economic contributor is the Galway Festival which begins on Monday July 29.
The seven-day extravaganza is the highest attended racing festival in Ireland, attracting over 141,000 people last year. The festival generates significant expenditure in the region, estimated at close to €20m, and with more than 800 people working at the racecourse during the festival, the economic benefit is spread across the city, the county and the wider Western region.
Over the course of the year, close to 200,000 people go racing in the West, with Roscommon and Ballinrobe racecourses proving particularly popular and well attended venues during the summer months. All three Western venues have undergone significant redevelopment in recent years, with Roscommon officially opening new weigh room facilities earlier this month.
There are over 300 breeders registered in the region with a broodmare population in Galway, Mayo and Roscommon of over 650.
The West is home to approximately 25 trainers, responsible for over 230 horses. Cheltenham Festival-winning trainer Pat Kelly, Norman Lee, trainer of leading Guinness Galway Hurdle contender Sole Pretender, Val O’Brien, Brian Cawley and Fergal Birrane are among the best known. The point-to-point industry is very strong in the region with the likes of Paurick O’Connor, Martin Cullinane and John Neilan big names in that sphere. Paurick’s brother Derek is one of the most successful point-to-point riders of all time.
Brian Kavanagh, CEO of Horse Racing Ireland, said: “This new report underlines the incredible impact the industry has in every corner of the country. Racing in the West revolves around the remarkable Galway festival and the countdown to this year’s meeting is well underway. The economic benefit of the festival reaches far and wide and indeed there is a terrific spin-off for local businesses from the popularity of the racecourses at Roscommon and Ballinrobe throughout the summer months. It is an ambition of Horse Racing Ireland to build on the success of the breeding and racing industry in the West, increasing the numbers employed and adding to an already impressive contribution to the local economy.”
