Horse Country, a new tourism destination in Ireland, offers visitors the opportunity to gain insight into the horse racing and breeding industries by providing behind-the-scenes experiences at top trainers’ yards and stud farms. The initiative is funded by Failte Ireland, Horse Racing Ireland, and the Kildare and Tipperary County Councils, with CEO Laura Magee expressing excitement about the concept and the potential for growth in the industry. The goal is to promote the importance of the industry economically and culturally, highlighting the connection between the Irish people and horses.
The concept of Horse Country is inspired by similar initiatives in Kentucky, with Magee acknowledging that Ireland is behind in this area but optimistic about the future. By offering visitors access to training yards and stud farms, the industry hopes to educate and engage the public in the various stages of a thoroughbred’s life, ultimately shaping the industry for the better. Experiences include VIP tours with top trainers like Johnny Murtagh and Jessica Harrington, as well as behind-the-scenes tours at the Curragh and Kildangan Stud.
The experiences offered by Horse Country are not intended to generate significant revenue, but rather to enhance the industry by allowing people to feel like owners for a day and gain valuable knowledge about the sport. Prices for experiences range from €25 per person for behind-the-scenes tours to €2,000 for a VIP experience with Johnny and Orla Murtagh. The official launch of Horse Country is set for April 30 at Punchestown, with government officials expected to attend.
