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Those figures are shocking but not surprising. Plus of course the price of buying decent horses has skyrocketed as seen by amo and coolmore spending 4 and £5m only last week. No wonder owners are disappearing. I’ve never understood how small to medium yards survive. Presumably on the loyalty and support of some very generous and decent owners.
The example Ralph Beckett gives about the small increase in prize money over 20 years in the November handicap actually flatters the race. In the years following Beckett winning it in 2005 the prize money went up to 47k then 53k, 60k and 62k until nosediving to 40k when Betfred took over sponsorship of the race but still a few grand more than today.
This isn’t an isolated case, there are many races like this. It’s an absolute shambles the way the sport is run in this country but don’t expect anything to change for the better anytime soon, if ever.
Part of what Beckett is complaining about, is explained by the changes to how total prize money is distributed – less for the winner, more for the placed horses.
So second place in 2005 paid £10k, this year it paid £17k. Third place, £5k in 2005 and £8.5k in 2024 and so on down to 6th place.
Aspire Tower took £7,784 back to Ireland as the prize for his dismal show in the Elite Hurdle. Insurrection and Glynn, both beaten 30L+ in the Wincanton novice chase, picked up £12,500 between them.
Back when I first owned horses, the sums were simple – 70% to the winner, 20% to the second, 10% to the third. On that basis, first prize at Doncaster would have been £49k.
Declining interest in horse racing is multifactorial, and probably irreversible. I did a vox pop of my friends recently, all interested in sports, and asked them to name 5 racehorses.
Arkle, Red Rum, Nijinsky were the only 3, with one nod to Faugheen; asked them about Sea the Stars, Frankel, City of Troy, Constitution Hill, Galopin des Champs; blank stares onlyPeople I know would know nijinsky,shergar, red rum,desert orchid and galileo. Galileo only registers, as a few are science orientated. Outside that 5 nil point.
Its the two extremes but Ciaron Maher in OZ since 1st August has earnt stakemoney totalling 35 million AUD , about 18 million quid. Chris Waller wont be far short of that too .
Id have to check but its possible William Haggas earnt nearly as much in the Golden Eagle win than whole season in UK .I went in a bookies today for the first time in a long time (so I’m part of the problem I suppose). I was walking past, it was a Ladbrokes and I remembered that according to oddschecker they are offering the best price on Quilixios for the Tingle Creek. In I went- it was spacious, bright and clean, with two staff behind the counter and only one other punter in the shop. I filled in my slip and handed it up at the counter to the pleasant but slightly bemused twentysomething chap.
I half expected a shrug and “OK but if you think he’s going to turn over Jonbon in his playground good luck to you”. Nope.
Chap said, “You want a bet for Saturday??” I refrained from glancing at the banks of TVs showing AW and muttering about sandpit donkeys, (at least they were showing racing, of sorts) and explained that I thought they had the best antepost price for the horse I wanted in the Tingle Creek (I had put 3.00 Sandown on the slip as well as the race name).Chap tried to put it through his till, couldn’t, tried betting station machine across the shop floor, consulted his colleague then rang for assistance from above. “Yes, she would like a price for a horse on Saturday. At Sandown. In the Tingle… <glances at slip>.. Creek?” He returned to me with regret. No antepost prices in “store” , only online. “Because it’s not a big race”. I asked if I wanted an antepost bet for Cheltenham, say, could I place it in the shop. Maybe, chap said. If it’s a big race. I thanked him nicely for his help, died a little bit inside and left.
Ladbrokes shop should have Ante Post Tingle Creek prices
I’ve had to show the staff before how to find a race on their systemGaelic Warrior Gold Cup Winner 2026
Just went into Ladbrokes up the road from me and you are correct in that their are no prices for the Tingle Creek
Gaelic Warrior Gold Cup Winner 2026
Bookies in OZ and NZ in the main well into it , in fact a lot ive been in have winners photos on wall from the customer syndicates they run . Never ever had a problem with sorting bets . Its slowly drifting but racing still very much part of culture .
Entain ie Ladbrokes have however been v v good for racing here since they brought Tab however iam bit unsure the end game , nothings for free in life.The final field no deductions has gone last week , that was great if you knew jockeys trainers habits with double noms , kind thing in back my mind knew wouldnt last . Clearly open to massive abuse by those in the know , so the screw is slightly turned , and i susoect it will continue to be . I know some punters who dont bet massive have had promos trimmed back , i still get plenty so they like me , not sure if thats a compliment or not !!
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