A total of almost £116 million was wagered on Ireland's racecourses in 1998, and the year was yesterday described by the Irish Horseracing Authority as "excellent for the Irish racing industry".

Total betting on the Tote, with bookmakers and in racecourse SP shops was 10.7 per cent up on 1997, with the bookmakers turnover reaching £89.3 million, the Tote up to £23.7 million and the shops reaching the £3 million mark.

The figures were announced yesterday in the IHA's racing statistics for 1998.

Attendances were up 4.7 per cent to 1,218,953, while the total prizemoney mark in Ireland reached £16.6 million.

The IHA Chief Executive Noel Ryan said: "Performances across all key sectors benefited from the continued upgrading of racecourses. I am particularly pleased that the upward trend in betting, attendances, prizemoney and sponsorship continued in 1998."