Racing’s Bleak Future

[Nor1]

The levy could be reduced by 60% next year if threats from the bookmakers are implemented.
Messages to the racing industry have been around for a long time but it seems those within can’t or won’t read them.

[Cav]

Might be a blessing in disguise, the situation will probably have to get a whole lot worse before it gets a whole lot better.

[dave jay]

It’s a scary time for proper racing fans, I have been reading about how the cut in prize money is going to be distributed next year. I can’t see many low grade horses travelling any sort of distance to race.

I agree that the threat of the bookies cutting the donations to the levy by 60% could be a blessing in disguise. The whole racing program seems to have grown into a monster and the issue of wall to wall dross needs to be addressed.

[robnorth]

I can’t see many low grade horses travelling any sort of distance to race.

Dave

I’m not sure that’s true. There was no shortage of horses travelling ‘a distance’ when banded racing was brought in.

The game has always been seriuosly negative expectation at the lower levels but, judging by the number of runners in the lower classes, there’s hardly a dearth of owners and trainers willing to run their horses for tuppence ha’penny.

Rob

[dave jay]

I suppose it’s a risk that those in charge are prepared to take. We won’t know what will happen over time until it’s done.

Lower prize money to me means more corruption .. I think all of those caught cheating were running in races that weren’t worth much.

[zilzal]

“I used to love bringing horses here but I won’t run them for £2,000, it’s an insult,â€

[zilzal]

“Britain’s bookmakers are proposing a 60 per cent slash in their contribution to racing. That means a figure of around £33 million in 2008-9 compared to £85 million under the present 12-month agreement“

Lydia Hislop fulminates against an insulting offer in today’s Times:

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/ … 532501.ece

[thedarkknight]

It is a mess. In a way the most worrying thing is that both sides seem intent on digging in ~ and at a time when Racing is struggling to maintain market share and the quality and interest levels in the sport are falling, it is quite possible that a "winter of discontent" of no pictures in betting shops could have very serious implications for the sport.

Yes, bookmakers would suffer too, but high street betting shops are now entering an era of becoming machine based businesses with a sportsbook thrown in. Racing simply isn’t the be all and end all anymore,

[dave jay]

TKD I think it’s the bookies end game to not have to bother with racing.

All of this is down to greed and pandering to the bookies.

[steveh31]

They make more oney out of fixed betting machines, football and in running betting than they do on horse racing perhaps the tide is turning and bookies may not want to associate themselves as much with horse racing in the future.

[Author]

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