Ivea

The experts on Irish Betting

At Ivea we compare and review the best in Irish betting sites and offers.

Best Irish Sites New Companies

Best Horse Racing Betting Sites 2023

1
5 / 5
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Aspire Global Site

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2
4.9 / 5
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Great new betting site

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3
4.9 / 5
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Established UK Brand with Irish presence

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4
4.8 / 5
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Established UK site - now in Ireland

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5
4.7 / 5
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New Aspire Site

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6
4.7 / 5
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Great new horse racing site

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7
4.6 / 5
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Popular Irish Site

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Horse racing is one of the oldest gambling traditions in the world. It’s been loved in pretty much every corner of the world at one time or another, and today it’s just as popular as ever in Ireland. Betting on the horses is a time-honoured tradition, so we’re going to look at some of the most important elements of horse racing betting in Ireland —where it started, where it is today, and how it works.

History

Irish horse racing stretches back far into the mists of time, but it wasn’t until the 19th Century that it took on a modern form. Betting developed naturally alongside it, and was always an important part of it. However, it was very heavily regulated until 1926, when legislation was passed to allow off-course betting.

Races were regularly attended by as many as 40,000 spectators, and the effects of the Second World War were actually beneficial—bringing in more spectators due to the restrictions on foreign and motor travel.

What does it look like today?

Today

Betting on the races in Ireland is just as popular as ever today. More than 1.3 million people attend horse races in Ireland per year, with up to 100,000 spectators at the biggest races. Naturally, a large percentage of this number also bet on the events.

The overall industry, including racing and breeding, is worth almost €2 billion today. Irish jockeys are said to be the best in the world, and some of the most famous horses of history came from Irish stud farms.

By far the biggest of the races for Irish horse racing betting is the Leopardstown races. In that race alone, in 2020, over €2.5 million was bet on the event. The next closest in that same year was the Gowran races, which only brought in under €1 million.

But, of course, the other big factor in the enduring, and even revived, popularity in horse racing is the advent of online betting. Now, you don’t need to be at the course anymore, and you don’t need to watch the race to know your horse won.

Horse racing is one of the most popular sports in the country to bet on, and more or less all major betting sites offer odds on multiple horse racing markets. With 26 major courses and 2,000 annual races, there is plenty of opportunity for betting on Irish horse racing.

Where is the sport headed, then?

Future?

Horse racing still looks pretty bright in Ireland, then. It’s still hugely popular, and has only become more so with the advent of online betting. Now, even those who can’t be there physically can enjoy and bet on the races. No doubt, then, that horse racing in Ireland will continue to be popular for many years to come.

Whether it’s the biggest race at Leopardstown, the grandest day out at Punchestown, there’s a race for everyone in Ireland. Whether you can be there or not, betting on Irish horse racing is still one of the nation’s favourite pastimes.

 

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