OWNERS and trainers have acknowledged that prize money for Leopardstown’s flat races has been increased this season but stand over their call for Horse Racing Ireland [HRI] to step up its prize money contributions.

In The Irish Field last week the Association of Irish Racehorse Owners [AIRO] and the Irish Racehorse Trainers Association [IRTA] drew attention to statistics which showed that, while prize money had risen by just 6% since 2019, HRI put in less of its own funds in 2024 than it did five years earlier.

HRI responded by saying the situation was more nuanced. It pointed to the impact of Covid on HRI’s Government grant and that it had increased its industry supports in other areas.

This week HRI issued a press release outlining prize money increases for Group 3s, listed races, handicaps and two-year-old maidens at Leopardstown for 2025. Feidhlim Cunningham, CEO of the trainers’ association, said: “The prize money increase for flat racing in Leopardstown in 2025 is warmly welcomed – but it must be noted that it was introduced as the result of strong lobbying by the IRTA and AIRO when we met to discuss the provisional summary on the flat from March to June.

“The IRTA highlighted a number of prize money discrepancies in Leopardstown to HRI including their proposal to have equal prize money for 70-90 handicaps, with 0-60 handicaps originally proposed to carry the same prize money as some maidens.

Respectable level

“To give credit to HRI, they took our feedback on board and have addressed these issues to ensure that prize money levels in Leopardstown are boosted to a respectable level.

“It must also be noted that the increase in prize money and leadership from Brian Kavanagh in the Curragh had a strong influence on Leopardstown competing in terms of their prize money offering.

“It is imperative that racecourses throughout the country are not left behind and that this positive trend extends to all tracks in the near future. Currently, we have a situation where the 90+ handicaps in Leopardstown and the Curragh are worth more than some 100+ handicaps in Cork, Naas and Navan in this period.

“While this increase is a step in the right direction, it is clear that further improvements are needed.”

Investment

Regina Byrne of the owners’ association said: “We welcome any announcement that increases the prize money pots for owners. Both Leopardstown and the Curragh benefit greatly from the World Pool and it’s fantastic that some of this income is being reinvested into the sport and we appreciate the effort of both racecourses in this regard.”

Paul Dermody, CEO HRI Racecourses, said: “This season, Leopardstown will be increasing their contribution to prize money by in excess of €271,000 compared to 2024 levels. The total prize money for the flat programme at Leopardstown in 2025 is expected to exceed €5.5 million before their season ends in mid-October.”