Economic Review of the Irish Harness Racing Sector

Economic review of the Irish Harness Racing Sector,

Stakeholder consultation.

The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Michael Creed, TD, is launching a consultation with stakeholders as part of an economic review of the Irish Harness Racing Sector.

The Terms of Reference for the Review are as follows:

The successful Tenderer, will conduct a review of the Irish Harness Racing sector and will

  1. Assess the value of the Harness Racing Sector’s contribution to the economic and social life of the Country. In this regard the study should include:

·  Total prize money paid out at Harness Racing events and the sources of such prize money, for the years 2010 to 2015,

·  Attendances at all Harness Racing events for years 2010 to 2015,

·  Number of individuals involved in Harness Racing horse ownership in 2015,

·  Number of registered breeders in 2015 and their location within the Country and the numbers of breeding mares; 1 to 5, 6 – 10, greater than 10,

·  An analysis of breeding operations from an employment and economic contribution point of view,

·  Number of individuals involved in training Harness Racing horses and estimate of expenditure by owners on horse training fees,

·  An analysis of training operations from an employment and economic contribution point of view.

·  Total value of stallion nomination fees; locations of stallion owners, value of export trade if any,

·  Bookmakers; total value of on-course betting relating to harness racing in 2015.

·  Benefits for the tourism industry; tourists attending harness racing events, sales and stud operations, value of main events to local economies,

·  Value of inputs to the industry from : farriers, veterinary practices, feed producers and transport operations,

·  Drivers involved in Harness Racing, number and locations, their experience / educational training,

·  Number of people employed in the Harness Racing Industry and their location within the Country,

·  The gross value of the industry to the Irish economy in 2015.

  1. Assess the potential of the Harness Racing Sector to increase its contribution to the Irish economy. In this regard in the assessment should include an evaluation of:

·  Opportunities presented to the sector from recently received IHRA’s Full Member status to the Union of European Trotting (UET),

·  The agreement with French harness racing organisation Le-Trot to introduce the Breeding of ‘Trotteur-Francais’ horses in Ireland in 2016, and breeding incentives to be offered by Le Trot, also potential for replacement of current breeds of horse with Trotteur-Francais.

·  Potential for TV pictures of Harness Racing from Ireland are to be exported and wagered on in other countries,

·  The requirement for harness racing events to be staged on HRI racecourse tracks to be attractive to customers for TV pictures;

·  Requirement to replace the current race track in Portmarnock with its own purpose built track.

  1. Evaluate the current structure of the IHRA as an organisation and decide whether the IHRA board operates in accordance with best practice governance principles. Examine the, size, skills make-up and method of appointment to the board to ensure it isbest designed to ensure that the organisation operates efficiently.

The Department is facilitating a stakeholder consultation process in regard to this Review by seeking and collecting submissions from interested parties. The closing date for receipt of submissions from stakeholders is 3rd November 2016. Stakeholders are asked to note that any information provided to the Department may be published or otherwise disclosed.

Submissions should be forwarded to Ms. Clare Gormley, State Bodies Section, Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Farnham Street, Cavan, Ireland, or electronically by e-mail to

Submissions received will be provided to the successful Tenderer for consideration and assessment in the context of carrying out the Review and the Report.

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