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I’ve been agreeing for a long time with the view that legislation is the only way out of the Levy mess so it is good to hear him talk in those terms. Let’s hope he has the determination to get past the invitable and numerous obstacles.
I hope you are wrong – Government have no place getting involved in how any sport is administered or funded.
If a sport (or business) cannot stand on its own two feet without Government intervention then it deserves to fail.
The only exception would, in extreme cases, be essential infrastructure industries but even then only as a last resort, no sport would ever fall into that category.
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And who else has the power to stop big bookmakers avoiding levy (or any other form of subscrption to UK racing) by going offshore?
And who else has the power to stop big bookmakers avoiding levy by going offshore?
I am no fan of bookmakers but all they are doing is what is best for their business and minimising their costs – why shouldn’t they?
Are you saying if you owned a business you would not do whatever is legitimately possible to minimise your expenses and maximise your profits?
I certainly have no qualms in doing so, that’s why I pay a bloody good accountant to minimise my costs and tax liabilities.
I echo what Paul says. If Mr Bittar chooses to concentrate on getting a Government backed commercial ‘deal’, he will waste a long time – possibly years when he should be sorting out all the structural issues.
The Sports Rights Owners Coalition is fighting for what the BHA wants on this front and there is little logic to back their case.
If the Govt or Euro legislators enforced a ‘betting right’, what is there to stop car makers lobbying for a percentage of profit from petrol stations, or brick-makers seeking a piece of the house-builders’ pie? The possibilities are ridiculously endless.
Mr Bittar’s primary objective should be to get Paul Roy out the door, very, very quickly so no taint of the Roy ‘culture’ sticks to Bittar.
Racing has relied far too long on subsidy. It will be a much healthier, if slimmer, industry once operating in a proper commercial theatre.
Paul, I agree that sports should stand on their own feet. However, I think this is a bit different. The bookies are trading off someone else’s product. They want racing so they can profit out of it but are unwilling to pay towards it.
Paul, I agree that sports should stand on their own feet. However, I think this is a bit different. The bookies are trading off someone else’s product. They want racing so they can profit out of it but are unwilling to pay towards it.
That’s where a commercial agreement comes into play – if racing does not have the wherewithal to negotiate a proper agreement then tough – they should not go running off to Government.
Does Football, Tennis, Golf, F1 et al have a Government brokered agreement with bookmakers?
I think not, so why should racing have an unfair advantage in that respect?
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Does Football, Tennis, Golf, F1 et al have a Government brokered agreement with bookmakers?
I think not, so why should racing have an unfair advantage in that respect?
Because unlike these other sports, Racing has spent the last two decades at least tailoring itself (in terms of fixtures and timings) to suit the bookmakers, who have not played ball in return. They need to be encouraged to do so, from whatever quarter. And why so against Government Legislation if it is in Racing’s interest?
Interesting stuff …
Ireland has good prize money because it is underpinned by the gov, whom recognise the industry as a win win for the country
I do not see why racing should not seek some form of closure on the tax loopholes, after all the bookies have not been too forthcoming in recent years , not a problem for me
Long term though a commercial agreement beneficial to both parties is what should happen , with government becoming more and more distant from the equation
I do think there will be changes in management for sure
Ricky
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Mr Bittar’s comments on the Whip Rules in
Lee Mottershead
‘s article (RP Online) are worth reading, franking what he said in Australia.
http://www.racingpost.com/news/horse-ra … hipdebate/
At least he understands that there is still some way to go to make them workable. But lobbying must continue, to make sure that when he does revise the Rules in January it’s not just NH that has the "stroke count" revised upwards: after all, no further turf evidence will be available by then, which could cause political difficulties.
Unless we want one-dimensional flat racing, with front runners handed an advantage which fatally unbalances tactical variety and equality of running styles, seven strokes is well short of what is acceptable, even as a Guideline. In South Africa (as
Jamie Spencer
has tweeted) it is eighteen, which is both reasonable and realistic. We should fall into line with the other major Racing nations sooner rather than later: that is the solution which offers BHA the best way of saving face after this debacle.
Yet we must welcome the advent of a CEO who’ll clearly not take any more (less?) stick from the RSPCA. The question now is, once Mr Roy goes who will be the new Chairman?
Paul – existing legislation ties the sport’s hands behind its back. I agree with your sentiment but, in this case, there needs to some government intervention to allow the BHA to be in a position to negotiate on a proper commercial footing.
And why so against Government Legislation if it is in Racing’s interest?
As I thought I had made clear I am against Government intervention as a matter of fundamental principle.
Would it not then be a tad hypocritical to try and argue the case for racing simply because it is something in which I have an interest?
Well done Pinza – I see you have managed to bring in the sodding mass debate on the whip into yet another thread
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Well done Pinza – I see you have managed to bring in the sodding mass debate on the whip into yet another thread
Why such a grump? It was
Mr Bittar
who brought it in himself. At length.
Pinza
merely reported the fact (and provided a pithy gloss).
Still according to the recorded interview, Mr Bittar has already said hello to Gov bods ….nice move Sir , this has all the hall marks of a man with a plan
I await developments with interest ……I do hope Mr Roy likes his golf …….
Ricky
Nick Luck has tweeted …
nickluck Nick Luck
Sorry to learn that @paulmstruthers is leaving the BHA as of today & wish him and family wellHe will get blame for mistakes and no credit for the good now.
British Horseracing Authority Statement
The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) can confirm that its Head of Communications, Paul Struthers, will be leaving the organisation today, Friday 18th November.
Paul has worked for the governing and regulatory bodies of horseracing for almost eleven years. Having joined the then British Horseracing Board (BHB) in 2001 he has worked across a variety of marketing, PR and media roles for BHB, the Jockey Club and the BHA. He assumed his current Head of Communications role in February 2010.
Paul Roy, Chairman of the British Horseracing Authority, said:
"Paul has made a significant contribution to the BHA and Racing generally, but decided that it is the right time for him to move on and seek a new challenge. On behalf of the Board I would like to thank Paul for his efforts. We wish him well for the future."
Paul Struthers said:
"I have worked for and been committed to the governing and regulatory bodies in Racing now for nearly 11 years and feel that it is time for me to move on to the next step in my career, which I hope will continue to be within the sport. I would like to thank everyone I’ve worked with, both at the BHA and within racing, and hope to renew acquaintances in new challenges."
Well I for one wish Judith all the best in the future. He has always been very to good to this forum and has struck me as a throughly decent, fairminded and hardworking all round good egg.
Isn’t it typical that the one decent person in a senior role at the BHA is the one who is leaving?
Although Paul and I have had our differences professionally, I have always found him to be an open, honest and approachable person.
I have said it many times, but it bears repeating, Paul had a very difficult role, often having to defend the indefensible. I have no idea who his replacement is going to be but they will have to go a long way to match Paul’s approachability, professionalism and openness.
I wish him every success in whatever role he does next . . . . hopefully a role where he will not be subjected to unwarranted personal abuse.
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