Irish racing's ruling body have described 2006 as the sport's "most successful year ever" and reported an all-time attendance record in Ireland of almost 1.5 million people.
The figures came in yesterday's statistics published by Horse Racing Ireland which add to a year of spectacular success for Irish horses on the racecourse.
The 10.6 per cent growth of total on-course betting in Ireland during 2006 was described as "dramatic" but it was the attendance figures that appeared to particularly please HRI officials.
A total of 1.45 million racegoers paid through the gates which was up 200,000 on the previous record in 2005 although extra race meetings were in place.
"The record attendance figure is particularly welcome as we knew we would have to contend with the World Cup and Ryder Cup," said HRI's chief executive Brian Kavanagh.
"The elements also conspired to blow us off course with three particularly bad periods. A very wet spring saw 15 meetings cancelled. September's storm reversed the recent growth of Listowel's Festival and of course Christmas, which gave Leopardstown, Tramore, Limerick and Punchestown some difficult days.
"The main festivals continue to go from strength to strength with Punchestown in particular achieving a record 85,000 racegoers which was up 10 per cent," he added.
The crucial betting figures were all up with the on-course bookmakers turning over €197.3 million, a rise of 12 per cent on 2005. However, the Tote figure rose by just 0.6 per cent to €49.6 million. Turnover in the on-course betting shops rose 33 per cent to €15 million.
"2007 will see significant development of racecourse facilities, particularly with the flagship projects at the Curragh and Galway," Kavanagh said.
This year will also see the opening of the country's first all-weather track at Dundalk in August.
The floodlit course will host 12 fixtures in 2007, rising to 25 in subsequent years.
Irish Racing Statistics for 2006
Total Prizemoney:Up 5.1 per cent to €55m
Total Attendances:Up 1.2 per cent to 1,447,245
Total Fixtures:Up 2 per cent to 319
Total Number of runners:Up 1.3 per cent to 2,270
Total Number of Horses in training:Up 2.1 per cent to 11,109
Total value of sales at public auction:Up 30 per cent to €189.4m
On Course Bookmaker Turnover:Up 12 per cent to €197.3m
Tote Turnover:Up 0.6 per cent to €49.6m
On-course betting shops:Up 33 per cent to €15m
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