Title: "Horse Country: Ireland’s New Premier Equine Tourism Experience Launched at Punchestown Festival"

Horse Country, Ireland’s premier immersive equine tourism experience, was launched at the Punchestown Festival yesterday, Wednesday, April 30th. Supported by Fáilte Ireland, Horse Racing Ireland, Kildare, and Tipperary County Councils, Horse Country 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 (Tipperary), Johnny Murtagh (Kildare), and Jessica Harrington (Kildare).

These globally recognized trainers are opening their racehorse training yards exclusively to Horse Country visitors, offering unique behind-the-scenes access and opportunities to see the training regimes and facilities for the thoroughbred equine athletes in their care.

Visitors can also enjoy exclusive access to renowned stud farms like Kildangan in County Kildare and Coolmore in County Tipperary to explore the very beginning of a thoroughbred’s journey and witness firsthand the life cycle of these incredible animals, from newborn foals to future champions.

The Horse Country concept was cultivated in 2021 by industry leaders within the Irish thoroughbred sector to leverage the deep-rooted thoroughbred heritage, world-renowned breeding industry, and passionate horse racing scene in Kildare and Tipperary as a unique tourism proposition.

Ireland is internationally recognized for the quality and depth of its thoroughbred industry, and Irish-bred thoroughbred horses, racehorse trainers, and jockeys are recognized among the most accomplished on the planet, consistently excelling on the world stage. The Irish thoroughbred breeding and racing industry generates €2.45 billion for the Irish exchequer, employs over 30,000 people, and approximately 1.2 million people go racing to the 26 racecourses on the island of Ireland every year.

The Thoroughbred Country Destination Experience Development Plan (TC DEDP) created by Fáilte Ireland for Kildare and Tipperary represents a five-year plan with a vision to deliver the world’s best collective thoroughbred visitor experience. The objective of the TC DEDP is to realize the domestic and international tourism opportunity that can be delivered through the heritage of the thoroughbred and the wider ecosystem that surrounds the industry.

Cathal Beale, Horse Country Chairman and CEO of the Irish National Stud & Gardens, said: “Through my role in the Irish National Stud & Gardens, I see firsthand how the interest in thoroughbred horses and racing significantly drives tourism in Kildare. We are delighted to launch Horse Country today and excited to see this unique immersive equine tourism product further increasing domestic and international tourism while showcasing our world-renowned racing and breeding industry.”

Brian O’Flynn, Head of Ireland’s Ancient East at Fáilte Ireland, added: "We are pleased to support the launch of Horse Country, which showcases the rich heritage and world-class expertise of our thoroughbred industry. In 2021, Fáilte Ireland launched the Thoroughbred Country DEDP to drive the sustainable development of tourism in Kildare and Tipperary and to create new and enhanced visitor experiences across both counties.

"Horse Country represents a significant milestone in this journey, as it not only highlights the exceptional skills of our trainers and the beauty of our stud farms but also underscores Ireland’s reputation as a premier destination for equine tourism. It provides a fantastic opportunity for hotels and other businesses in these counties to collaborate with these new immersive tours and connect with the thoroughbred story. We are confident Horse Country will help attract more domestic and international visitors to Tipperary, Kildare, and the wider Ireland’s Ancient East region, encouraging them to stay longer, which will bring economic benefits to local businesses and communities."