Difficult times for Horse Racing

It really is a difficult time for the Racing industry at present as last Fridays edition of the Racing Post explains.

Everyone is struggling from Racehorse Trainers/Owners/Bookmakers/Racecourse Managers even the Stud farms. The economic climate is really taking its toll with the Levy board reducing the amount it pays out by 25% this year with perhaps further cuts to come.

Racing for Change is an interesting body but is it really addressing the key issues for the industry? I fear not. Certainly there is a brand issue but the heart of the problem I believe lies in the Financial Operations of Racehorse Trainers themselves.

A less vibrant economy means fewer owners with less money to spend on quality horses. It means in effect that the Racehorse Trainer ends up operating a hotel without fully paying customers. Commercially minded landlords and HMRC pile on the pressure until perhaps the trainer comes under intolerable strain. It is exactly in these scenarios that a trainer may be exposed to the more undesirable elements in our wonderful sport.

My view is that if you help Racehorse Trainers create a more stable financial platform upon which to perform then you lead to an increase in the credibility of racing as a whole. This is the brand issue that Racing needs to address. Those trainers that act in a Financially responsible manner in relation to their business deserve huge credit. Owners should bear this in mind when selecting their trainer.

Now if only there was a standard that Owners and Punters could rely upon .... and what if those trainers were incentivised to take up that standard.....surely that would lead to an uptick in betting turnover.....and everyone would benefit....now there is a thought...