Horse racing in Kildare generates €557m to the economy

An independent report produced for Horse Racing Ireland has found that the horse racing industry in Kildare provides a significant contribution to the Irish economy, generating €557 million in expenditure and providing 4,535 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 Kildare specifically, found that the industry generates €557 million in expenditure and provides 4,535 jobs.

There are few places in the world with a breeding and racing tradition as rich as that of county Kildare. Known as ‘The Thoroughbred County’ it is home to three renowned racecourses at The Curragh, Punchestown and Naas. 

The Curragh is the headquarters of Irish Flat racing, where all five Irish Classics are run, while Punchestown hosts the leading Jumps Festival in Irish racing over five days in April each year. Naas stages racing under both codes, including the Grade 1 Naas Novice Hurdle.

The county is home to a large number of breeders, 744 in total, and 76 trainers, including some of Ireland’s best-known trainers in the legendary Dermot Weld and Johnny Murtagh.

The Curragh training grounds offer 80 miles of gallops where approximately 1,000 horses are trained.

The Irish National Stud is a world-famous tourist attraction and welcomed 150,000 visitors in 2023.

Bloodstock sales generated in the county also amounted to an impressive €119 million.

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