Any loss of programming could hit the revenues that racecourses earn from media rights, while it would also deter owners from staying with the sport or buying more horses.
“We’re talking about more than 30,000 jobs here and €240 million in training fees annually, and that’s not counting the other quarter of a billion that they are spending on buying the horses in the first place,” she pointed out. Ryan McElligott, chief executive of the Irish Racehorse Trainers’ Association, pointed out that Racing TV subscribers have to be over 18 in the first place, ruling out easy access for children.Mr McElligott warned that the ban could have “a huge impact on rural economies” where racehorses are bred and sold, if owners were to pull out in large numbers.“A lot of our revenue would come from the exposure of our pictures to different audiences, both close to home and further afield,” he confirmed.