Aidan O'Brien hails Tipperary's contribution to growth of thoroughbred horse racing sector

Multiple champion Flat trainer Aidan O’Brien is among those welcoming a new report, based on research carried out by Deloitte, leading advisors to the sports business market, for Horse Racing Ireland (HRI), which indicates that Ireland’s thoroughbred horse racing sector shows sustained growth across multiple measures. 

The sector, including breeding, training, racing, and ancillary activities, delivered €2.46 billion to the economy in direct and stimulated expenditure in 2022, up 34% from 2016, and supports a total of 30,350 jobs, an increase of 1,450 in that same period.

Commenting on the social and economic impact of breeding and racing in Tipperary, Aidan O’Brien said: “There are nearly 800 breeders in Tipperary alone and there are 70 trainers in the county, which is incredible.

"It’s an industry worth €2.5 billion and there are over 30,000 people employed. 30,000 people is some number of people and there is some spin-off from that.

“There are so many people involved all the way to the local shops, people doing groundwork, to the jockeys and stable lads – there are so many people involved in so many areas, it’s incredible.

"The sales are a big thing, the young horses coming along are sold all over the world.

"People from Hong Kong, America, Japan – there are so many people that come to Ireland to buy horses. All those young horses are reared here and employ Irish people, I think it’s brilliant.

"Irish people have a great feel for horses and the Irish land and weather is absolutely perfect for breeding horses”.