Myself and many other trainers, are right to be alarmed about the all-time low level of prize-money on offer in the UK. Henry Cecil believes Low level racing is nothing more than bookmaker fodder…
Unless steps are taken to improve matters at many race courses the industry will wither and die as even comparatively successful owners are finding it difficult to cover the cost of having a horse in training.
As owners gradually fall by the wayside, it is inevitable that unemployment levels will rise, producing attendant social-economic problems at many major training centres up and down the country.
Why the betting industry and racecourses are seemingly prepared to bury their heads in the sand, is a mystery. If racing is forced to disappear from the calendar, it will only hurt the level of profitability, making it difficult for the racecourses to cope.
Our big bookmaking firms and other involved parties would be best advised to get together without further delay to ensure a far more equitable share of the cake, rather than take what can only be interpreted as their short term view of “let’s make what we can, while we can” attitude.
I spoke to Henry Cecil regarding the matter and despite his fantastic recent achievements he also fears for the future of racing…
“Something must be done to boost prize-money at the lower levels of racing. With the cost of rearing and purchasing horses, having them trained plus jockeys’ fees and transportation costs, there is no way one can make ends meet as things stand at present.
If betting is the only way in trying to come out on top, not only is this a risk but, overall, can only courage racing to come into disrepute – in more ways than one.
Unless steps are taken to remedy matters, this level of racing is nothing more than bookmaker fodder.”
I’ve also spoken to many owners, all disgruntled at the state of lower level racing. J A Mitchell (Small owner and lifelong punter) says…
My view is that the BHA approach will not get us far. They seem to be concentrating on restoring the Levy to previous levels and taking more money from Betfair. I think they will have very limited success, but I would be happy to be proved wrong.
The ROA estimate that racecourses currently receive more than £60 million per year from picture rights and they rightly want to tap into this money. The ROA have now secured a series of fixtures, funded by the racecourses to the tune of £21,000 each and totalling roughly £3 million. That’s a good start, but racecourse money on its own is not likely to be enough. We don’t need a load more races worth £1,500 (or less) to the winning owner.
A properly “privatised” Tote is another potential source of revenue. We must make sure that racing is the chief beneficiary.
A combination of Levy payments, racecourse and Tote, bookmaker money, together with a reduced and revised fixture list, may restore racing to better health. If not then my days as an owner will soon be over.
Finally, so much frustration has built up in the industry that people are considering direct action in the form of strikes, boycotts and ballots. I support this and intend to participate.
I too believe that until real action is taken nothing will change. We (Trainers, Owners, Racegoers) need to make a stand against the powers that be. ‘Refuse to Race’ is a good start. If you support a boycott please comment below.
