Horse Racing Ireland Increases 2026 Prize Money

Horse Racing Ireland has defended this year’s record prize money levels after an independent report submitted to the Government raised concerns about the current structure of funding from the Horse & Greyhound Racing Fund.

The report by Indecon acknowledged that prize money plays an important role in maintaining the competitiveness of Irish racing and attracting ongoing investment. However, it also suggested that the industry’s strong performance indicates there may be an element of “deadweight” in how HGRF funds are allocated to prize money. Overall, the report concluded that there is a stronger public policy justification for directing funding toward welfare and integrity programmes rather than prize money.

HRI has announced an additional €4.3 million investment in prize-money for 2026, bringing the total pot to €74.7m across all racecourses, horsemen and partnerships, according to BettingTop10 Ireland. The extra prize-money will be spread across Flat and jump racing evenly. Minimum prize values for Pattern races, right down to starter races, will be increased.

Group 1 races will be worth at least €400,000, €100,000 more than previously, and Group 2s and Group 3s will rise by €10,000 to €130,000 and €70,000 respectively. Listed races will increase by €5,000 to €50,000.

Flat Group 1 races will rise by at least 33 per cent, but jumps open Grade 1 races are boosted by 50 per cent to €120,000. Open Grade 2s will be worth €70,000, and Grade 3s will be worth €55,000. Graded novice hurdles and chases, as well as juvenile races, will also see rises. Even novice hurdles and cash get a bump from €10,000 to €13,000.

There will be small increases in all but the lowest band of handicaps, both on the Flat and over hurdles, which will remain at €10,000. This means increases will not result in increased costs for owners. Irish EBF two-year-old maidens increase to €22,000 from €18,000, and Irish EBF Auction and Median Sires Series rise to €25,000.

All figures quoted are minimums, and many races are expected to pay significantly more.The increases come into effect from March 1. In its budget for 2026, HRI revealed record levels of prize money of €74.7 million. This was an increase of €4.2 million on last year’s levels.

HRI made a pre-budget submission to the Government, stating that prize-money levels in Ireland were unacceptable compared to those in Britain and other racing nations. It said racing was facing cost pressures due to stagnant prize money.

Racing’s governing body said if prize-money budgets weren’t increased, cutbacks would have to be made in areas such as integrity and welfare because funding wouldn’t allow for growth.Despite that call, the Government left its HGRF allocation to racing unchanged at €79.3 million from 2025.