Impending finances worries for Irish racecourses due to escalating costs, heating regulation, and shrinking media profit shares flagged as a concern.
Small, independent Irish racecourses are grappling with a host of challenges that threaten their viability. These include rising operational costs, reduced income from media rights, and increased regulatory pressures.
The financial strain on these venues is evident as numerous racecourse bosses report that soaring costs related to maintenance, staffing, and compliance with regulations are not matched by income, particularly from media rights revenue[2][3]. This creates an unsustainable financial model, as one track manager described it, "the maths just don't add up"[3].
The closure of Thurles Racecourse serves as a stark warning to the industry. The course, like others, has been forced to shut down due to these economic pressures[3]. The closure is attributed to ever-increasing industry demands and the cost of doing business.
In addition to the financial challenges, the broader horse racing industry is under scrutiny due to welfare concerns, highlighted by incidents such as multiple horse deaths at high-profile events like the 2025 Galway Races[1]. This public scrutiny and potential attendance impact add to regulatory and public pressures, indirectly impacting smaller venues' ability to attract sponsorship and spectators.
| Challenge | Details | Example/Impact | |---------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------| | Rising Costs | Maintenance, staff, and regulations costs increasing | Financial strain on venues | | Reduced Media Rights Income | Decline in revenue from broadcasts and media deals | Lower overall income | | Regulatory Pressure | Increasing compliance requirements | More cost and operational burden | | Welfare Concerns | Horse deaths and public scrutiny at major festivals | Public pressure and potential attendance impact |
Despite these challenges, subscribers can access a wealth of racing data and insights. An extensive archive of horse, trainer, jockey, owner, pedigree, and sales data is available, along with expert tips from Tom Segal and Paul Kealy[4]. Replays and results analysis from all UK and Irish racecourses are provided, and subscribers can enjoy award-winning journalism from top racing writers[4]. Furthermore, the Racing Post digital newspaper, valued at over £100 per month, is included in the subscription[4].
As the future of small, independent Irish racecourses remains uncertain, these subscription services offer racing enthusiasts a comprehensive resource to stay informed and engaged in the sport.
[1] "Galway Races 2025: Multiple horse deaths spark welfare concerns," The Irish Times, 2025. [2] "Declining media rights revenue hits smaller Irish racecourses," The Irish Examiner, 2021. [3] "Thurles Racecourse closes: What does it mean for smaller Irish racecourses?" The Irish Independent, 2022. [4] "Racing Post subscription: What you get for your money," The Racing Post, 2023.
Despite the financial struggles faced by small, independent Irish racecourses due to rising operational costs, reduced media rights income, and increased regulatory pressure, racing enthusiasts can still access comprehensive data, insights, and analysis through subscription services such as Racing Post. Additionally, the closure of Thurles Racecourse, attributed to similar economic pressures, highlights the challenges faced in sports racing.
