Horse Racing Ireland on Tuesday announced a series of cost-saving reductions for 2010 following the 13% (€7.1m) cutback in Government funding to the racing sector.
The measures include the cessation of funding for racecourse improvements and capital development projects, the reduction of direct financial support for racecourses and a 10% overall cut in prize-money.
HRI chief executive Brian Kavanagh said: "The board of HRI has had to make significant cutbacks to ensure Irish racing operates to a balanced budget for 2010.
"Following the third significant cut to the organisation's funding in the last 14 months, HRI estimates that up to 1,500 jobs have been lost in the racing and breeding industry in the last 18 months and, regrettably, the measures being announced today will lead to further job losses."
HRI chairman Denis Brosnan added: "HRI's request to Government is simple - put the funding structure of our industry on a secure basis and we will continue to give you a world-class industry with thousands of rural jobs.
"Fail to do that and one of the few genuine Irish success stories of recent years will disintegrate before our eyes."
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