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An interesting and disturbing story in the Guardian today on the parlous situation in which racing in Italy finds itself.
Last year, UNIRE paid out a total of 353 million Euros in racecourse and prize money subsidies, while receiving only 160 million Euros in income from Pari-Mutuel profits. Seemingly, it hasn’t produced a full set of accounts for 10 years.
Clearly, no money will be forthcoming from the government, so, very sadly, it looks like curtains for racing as a proper, full-time professional sport in Italy. Those heady days 10 years ago when Varenne captivated the nation now seem like something from pre-history.
Here’s the link: http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2012/ja … e-minister
No sympathy – the sport has clearly lived beyond its means in Italy for some years now and now it is paying the price. Clearly there is no effective regulation.
The Italian Government is right not to subsidise bad business, it is not the role of Government to support bad business practice.
Let’s hope racing in this country learns from what is happening in Italy and begins to cut its cloth accordingly.
True Paul , but you can bet your house , things wont be cut too drastically in Ireland
as for our racing , I think it will shunter on a shoe string for a good while
Ricky
Since most flat race horses are owned by the 1% their world won’t come tumbling down with the rest of us.As spectators we will participate but hardly as owners.There are enough 1%’ers in Italy to keep the sport alive there.Otherwise they will move to Turkey!
Just looked at the IFHA site – there are a staggering number of races run every year in Italy.
In 2010, there were over 17,000 of them, compared to "only" 9,500 in the UK.
Whatever business model the sport decides to adopt in order to survive, there will inevitably have to be a hugh reduction in fixtures.
In 2010, there were over 17,000 of them, compared to "only" 9,500 in the UK.
I weep for those horses bred to satisfy the whims of just yet another crazy and deeply unsavoury credit bubble. Italy first, Bananaland, UK
The Eyeties will be dining well, and so they should on this source of cheap, cheap protein. Or their cats will
Horse meat is very tasty, tender and low in fat
or is that taboo?
neigh!
Here’s a story in the RP about a demo in support of Italian racing outside the parliament in Rome, where an "explosive device" went off.
It looks a pretty hopeless cause, betting was down 20% last year and attendances suffered a "dramatic slump". So far this year, no racing has taken place in Italy.
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