the overall administration of Irish horseracing, other than services operated by the Racing Regulatory Body, as set out in the Horse and Greyhound Racing Act, 2001
	the development and promotion of the Irish horseracing industry, including the development of authorised racecourses, the guaranteeing of prize money at race fixtures and the costs of integrity services
	the control of the operation of authorised bookmakers
	the allocation of race fixtures and the setting of race programmes
	the operation of racecourses which are owned by the Authority
	the operation of a totalisator at racemeetings
	the promotion of the Irish thoroughbred horse
	the making of grants, loans or other disbursements to authorised racecourses and to any subsidiary of the Authority.
	the representation of horse racing internationally
	the operation of the Registry Office
	the negotiation of income from media and broadcasting rights

Horse Racing Ireland is financed by a direct grant from Government, profits from the Tote and funding from the on-course and off-course bookmakers.

The Horse and Greyhound Racing Act was signed into law by President Mary McAleese on 2nd July 2001, leading to the formal establishment of Horse Racing Ireland by the then Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development, Joe Walsh, TD on 18th December of that year. It succeeded the Irish Horseracing Authority (founded 1994) and its predecessor, the Racing Board (founded 1945).

The establishment of Horse Racing Ireland represented the culmination of a lengthy process of restructuring the legislative framework within which racing operates. In replacing the Irish Horseracing Authority and incorporating certain administrative functions of the Turf Club (the Racing Regulatory Body) and with a Board representing key sectors of the industry, a true national authority for racing in Ireland was created, charged with the overall administration, promotion and development of the industry.

In June 2002 responsibility for horse and greyhound racing was transferred from the Department of Agriculture to the Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism.

	Racecourse Division
	Tote Ireland
	Irish Thoroughbred Marketing

The Racecourse Division of HRI owns and operates Fairyhouse, Leopardstown, Navan and Tipperary Racecourses.

Tote Ireland Limited operates a totalisator at all Irish racecourses including a credit betting service and a betting web site. Profits made by Tote Ireland are returned to racing.

Irish Thoroughbred Marketing Limited, a non-profit-making organisation, is responsible for the promotion of the Irish thoroughbred horse. It is funded by both HRI and the Irish bloodstock industry.