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You arrive at the BHA – and you can change anything you want about racing, anything at all. But you’re only allowed to change ONE thing.
What would it be?
Interesting question David.
I think that I’d remove all handicap races from the calendar and restructure the programme around claiming races, maidens, conditions events, group races etc. Something similar to the American situation (but not identical).
And then as I’d used up my single wish, I’d whisper quietly in HRH’s ear about why Henry Cecil is still awaiting his knighthood.Would not allow colts to go to stud until six years old unless they suffered an injury confirmed by the racing authorities.
Tough one.
In any sport it is the cheats who besmirch the game. For that reason I would ban for life the trainer described in 2009 by the BHA as ‘despicable.’
As well as removing him from the sport we then wouldn’t have to hear the horrible euphemism, ‘ …. knows how to get one ready for handicaps.’
Yep, I’m happy with that.
Would not allow colts to go to stud until six years old unless they suffered an injury confirmed by the racing authorities.
Same, although I wouldn’t let the injured horses go to stud either. We need sound horses.
Aren’t there quite a few who qualify for that epithet ROF?
You’re right Cormack. Certainly true that a number could be identified as being ‘handicap experts’, but I’m not aware of (m)any who have been described as despicable by the sport’s ruling body.
I’d tell every racecourse that charges extortionate prices for food and drink (ie all of them) that they need not apply for fixtures until they sort it out.
Or I’d set up a Racing merchandise department.
Would I let a one eyed horse go to stud? If he could race not until he reached the age limit. Or one with a non transmittable injury? Yes I would. Even a sound horse can be injured while traveling.Exceptions prove the rule.
Agree with Thisthatandtother. Excellent point. It might also end the proclivity to breed from bad mares and dull stalions.A fee must be added to the stud fee to support a home for slow horses.
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If I was put in charge at the BHA I would straight away get rid of 2 year old racing and shift the whole calander forward 1 year, so instead of our 3 year old classics they would be 4 year old classics etc.
A horse at 2 is far too young to be subject to Racing especially potentially being subject to the whip, I think they are rushed into Racing far too quickly, would like to see them have more time with their mothers.
If I was put in charge at the BHA I would straight away get rid of 2 year old racing and shift the whole calander forward 1 year, so instead of our 3 year old classics they would be 4 year old classics etc.
A horse at 2 is far too young to be subject to Racing especially potentially being subject to the whip, I think they are rushed into Racing far too quickly, would like to see them have more time with their mothers.
Both racehorses and other domesticated horses are weaned at the same age, long before they are broken to saddle. Rushing a horse into racing is a great way to get a very bad racehorse. Any good trainer gives slower-to-mature horses the time they need.
Explore ways of getting rid of bookmakers from the sport as they have never been prepared to pay a fair price. They seem to manage well without them in other countries and as Barney Curley famously said you can’t get 2 bananas to 1 with them anyway.
Geoff Banks the bookmaker when interviewed on C4 last week stated that "Racing made my dad a very wealthy man". While that is very nice for John Banks and his family and all the other bookmakers like him, a lot of that money should have been going to racing not bookmakers pockets.
Fred Done is worth hundreds of millions, off the back of horse racing.Get rid of all this elitism at racecourses, no more Royal Box, no members enclosures, no restricted areas (have you got a pass bollocks). All racecourses would charge a standard entry charge and you can go anywhere on the course.
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