Horse racing in the Midlands generates €178m expenditure locally

An independent report produced for Horse Racing Ireland has found that the horse racing industry in the counties of Laois, Offaly, Longford and Westmeath generates €178m in expenditure and provides 1,566 jobs locally.

In 2023 Deloitte produced an independent report for Horse Racing Ireland (HRI) on the Social and Economic Impact of Irish Thoroughbred Breeding and Racing, based on 2022 data. 

This report estimated Irish racing and breeding’s total expenditure to be €2.46 billion, with over 30,000 people employed, the majority of which are in rural communities. 

This led us to dig deeper and assess the impact of the industry in the counties and regions across Ireland, and in the Midland counties of Laois, Offaly, Longford and Westmeath specifically, found that the racing and breeding industry is an integral part of the rural economy, generating €178million in expenditure and providing 1,566 jobs.

The Midlands region hosts one of Ireland’s most popular racecourses in Kilbeggan, a track which welcomed 28,078 racegoers in 2023 and features the Midlands National Handicap Chase, a recognised trial for the Galway Plate and other major festival races.

The region is also home to 487 breeders and 22 trainers and the point-to-point industry is also well represented.

Bloodstock sales generated in the region amounted to an impressive €58 million.

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