THIS RUNS SUMMER MESSAGE

Dear colleagues,

We are halfway through the year and preparing to enter an exciting and busy period of greyhound racing.

The 2023 BoyleSports Irish Greyhound Derby is only weeks away and we are all looking forward once again to an electric atmosphere at Shelbourne Park over the five weeks from the First Round on July 28th/29th right through the grand Final on September 2nd. On behalf of the Board, I warmly welcome the decision by BoyleSports to extend its sponsorship of the Derby up to 2026, resulting in an additional €1m in prize money being distributed over the next three years.

Trainers and owners across the country will also welcome the news that this year’s showcase event has been increased from €266,300 to €300,000, representing a rise of 13% on 2022. The change to the prizemoney structure involves an increased spread from the overall runner-up right down to unplaced second round entrants.

I am delighted to report that attendances for the first four months of 2023 are up to almost 79,000, compared to 75,000 in the same period last year and 29,000 in 2021. This is a good indicator of the ongoing recovery in the sector, the popularity of greyhound racing amongst the public, and the hard work of RCÉ staff and the wider community to grow the sport.

Off the track, staff have continued their good work in delivering RCÉ’s ever expanding programme of welfare and care initiatives from RCÉTS to our ongoing support for the work of the Irish Retired Greyhound Trust. Our inspection regime of greyhound establishments has also intensified. While compliance remains very high across the board, RCÉ has invested considerable time and resources into rooting out and penalising those who would bring our industry and sport into disrepute.

With a supportive Board, Rásaíocht Con Éireann will continue to invest in the sport we love and grow our positive relationship with the wider greyhound racing community across Ireland.

I also wish to remind all staff of the importance of availing of your annual leave entitlement and to take a well deserved break and enjoy time with family and friends during the Summer. On behalf of the Board and the Executive, a sincere thank you, for your hard work and commitment during the first part of the year and we look forward to achieving and where possible exceeding our targets for the remainder of 2023.

Le meas, John Tuohey, Interim CEO, RCÉ