Horse Racing Ireland reveals five-year strategic plan, a major achievement for the country’s industry.

The plan, entitled ‘Nurturing Success and Inspiring Participation’, was presented by HRI CEO Suzanne Eade after speeches from chairman Nicky Hartery and Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Martin Heydon. Eade stated that the strategic plan aims to nurture success and inspire participation in the Irish racing and breeding industry, emphasizing its vital role in the country’s economy. She highlighted the industry’s significant contribution to the economy and outlined the goal of increasing its economic reach to €3 billion by the end of 2028.

Eade also mentioned the 35-fold return to the economy on the annual government investment as presented in the updated Deloitte report of 2023. The plan aims to further increase this return and focuses on delivering big capital projects such as a people campus to serve the needs of the thoroughbred industry. The goal is to develop a sustainable workforce and establish Ireland as a global center of excellence for industry education and training.

Additionally, the plan seeks to expand opportunities for Irish thoroughbreds by enhancing national and international engagement, targeting new and existing markets. Eade emphasized the importance of providing a pipeline of future human talent and proposed initiatives to support the industry’s growth and development.