Horse Country venture to attract race fan tourists

TOURISM chiefs are hoping to cash in on Ireland's reputation as an international horse racing powerhouse by offering tours of stud farms and the trainers' yards.

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Previous studies show Ireland attracts around 70,000 overseas visitors each year who attend at least one race meeting during their trip and tend to spend about €2,000 each here.

One in four arrived just to attend a race, with two-thirds coming from the UK and a significant amount travelling from the US.

Horse Country, a Failte Ireland-backed venture, is an attempt to lure even more.

The programme offers 15 visitor experiences that immerse guests in the fascinating world of thoroughbred horses, including access to the yards and training operations of Aidan O'Brien in Tipperary, Johnny Murtagh and Jessica Harrington in Kildare.

Tours are also offered of renowned stud farms like Kildangan in Co Kildare and Coolmore in Co Tipperary to explore the very beginning of a thoroughbred's journey and witness firsthand the life cycle from newborn foals to future champions.