Sir Keir's wife punting at Ascot while government threaten to destroy racing – it's D-Day and we need a leader
Sound familiar?
Advertisement
1
Let's hope for a great week at Goodwood but at the same time not kid ourselves - racing is a in a perilous position
Credit: Getty Images - Getty
This is all to do with whether Labour peer Lord Allen is thrust into the position of BHA chairman.
Should he come or will he go now? That depends on how much everyone clashes!
Those considering Lord Allen's many demands - in order for him to take up the role - include the Racecourse Association, Racehorse Owners' Association, Thoroughbred Breeders' Association and Licensed personnel.
Lord Allen has basically said take my ideas or leave them and I won't bother with you all.
Advertisement
He doesn't need the money and he's not a massive horse racing fan.
As has so often been the case with those in charge at the BHA, it appears he's not too fussed about it.
We have got used to leaders coming, messing up a few things, and going in a fanfare of what a marvelous job they have done.
On ITV Racing's Opening Show on Saturday I asked four questions about Lord Allen and his objectives, and what help he might be.
Advertisement
Most read in Horse Racing
Usually when I do that my phone goes mad with people answering my observations and putting me right. On this occasion it was silent.
Lord Allen and racing appear in favour of an independent BHA Board.
Indeed this seems to be an absolute necessity.
But no one has said who would be on it? I can't see how you could ever have one.
Advertisement
Someone please explain.
Who are you going to have - who is independent?
Secondly, in recent days the Jockey Club and Ascot have come out insisting Lord Allen must be appointed.
Have they done this knowing he won't join the BHA or he will?
Advertisement
If you know he's not going to be on board then it would look as though you wanted to do the right thing for the sport but others stopped you.
In some eyes that would give an organisation credit.
Equally if he did become BHA chairman you will have Lord Allen's backing.
It's clever if you think about it.
Advertisement
And trust me, behind the scenes, whatever anyone says, this is about individuals rather than the good of the sport.
It always will be and anyone who kids themselves otherwise is delusional.
If Lord Allen is the savior, why is racing in turmoil about a current new tax on the sport?
What is Lord Allen doing about it? Has he talked to Sir Keir Starmer? Again silence.
Advertisement
And finally once again, how is it with all the people in horse racing we have who love the game - from the King and Queen down - no one seems to get through to Sir Keir that he might be on the verge of destroying British Racing?
Sir Keir's wife, Victoria, was at Ascot on Saturday for the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes.
It seems quite bizarre to me when you think what Government is threatening to do.
Answers on a postcard please.
Advertisement
By the way, enjoy Glorious Goodwood. All the best coverage in The Sun!
FREE BETS - GET THE BEST SIGN UP DEALS AND RACING OFFERS
Commercial content notice: Taking one of the offers featured in this article may result in a payment to The Sun. You should be aware brands pay fees to appear in the highest placements on the page. 18+. T&Cs apply. gambleaware.org
.
Remember to gamble responsibly
A responsible gambler is someone who:
Read more on the Irish Sun
Establishes time and monetary limits before playing
Only gambles with money they can afford to lose
Never chases their losses
Doesn't gamble if they're upset, angry or depressed
Gamcare –
Gamble Aware –
Find our detailed guide on responsible gambling practices here.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Irish Examiner
5 minutes ago
- Irish Examiner
State to oppose Omagh bombing survivors' bid to bring cases over failure to hold inquiry, court told
The State will oppose applications by two Omagh bombing survivors seeking to bring lawsuits aimed at compelling the Irish government to establish a public inquiry into the atrocity, the High Court has heard. Emmet Tunney and Shawneen Conway, both survivors of the 1998 dissident republican bombing, say the Government is obliged to establish a public inquiry in circumstances where state authorities allegedly held 'actionable intelligence' relating to the attack. A total of 29 people, including Ms Conway's 18-year-old brother Gareth and a mother pregnant with twins, died when a car bomb planted by the Real IRA exploded in the centre of the Co Tyrone town on August 15, 1998. The survivors, who are seeking to bring separate but similar cases, both point to a judgment of Northern Ireland's High Court, which found that the British and Irish government bore responsibilities 'arising from the cross-border nature of the attack and the intelligence failings that preceded it'. 'The High Court in Northern Ireland found that there was a real prospect that fresh investigative measures could yield new and significant information regarding the atrocity, including the possibility of preventing it had certain intelligence been acted upon,' the survivors' court papers state. Their cases state that a public inquiry is required to ensure an effective investigation of the atrocity. They allege the State's failure to hold such an inquiry is a breach of their rights under the Constitution and under the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR). According to their court documents, article two of the ECHR requires an 'effective, independent, prompt, and public' investigation in circumstances where State agents knew or ought to have known of a real and immediate risk to life. Articles 40 and 41 of the Constitution require effective investigations of deaths involving potential State failures, their papers say. An independent inquiry into the bombing established by the UK government opened in Omagh in January and is continuing. That inquiry is examining whether the atrocity could have been prevented by UK authorities. Ms Conway and Mr Tunney say the Irish government should hold a parallel inquiry. In the High Court this week, Stephen Toal KC, for the survivors with Ruaidhrí Giblin BL and Karl McGuckin BL, moved an application seeking permission to bring the proceedings against the Government, Ireland and the Attorney General. Mr Toal said the State had indicated it would be opposing their application seeking permission to bring the proceedings. Ms Justice Mary Rose Gearty said she would hear Mr Toal's applications for permission to bring the proceedings in early November. The judge said the State should be put on notice of the applications. Both survivors are seeking various orders, including one compelling the Government to establish a public inquiry into the bombing, and a court declaration that the Government's failure to establish such an inquiry to date is in breach of their rights. Mr Tunney, of Omagh, Co Tyrone, is represented in the action by Strabane-based firm Roche McBride Solicitors. Ms Conway, from Dungannon, Co Tyrone, is represented by Pa Duffy Solicitors in Dungannon.
Irish Independent
6 minutes ago
- Irish Independent
Kremlin says it 'noted' Trump's deadline of ‘10 or 12 days' for deal to end Ukraine war
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters that Russia was continuing to pursue what it calls its special military operation in Ukraine but was also committed to a peace process that would resolve the conflict and secure its interests. Mr Trump set a new deadline yesterday of 10 or 12 days for Russia to make progress toward ending the war in Ukraine or face consequences, underscoring frustration with Russian president Vladimir Putin for the three-and-a-half-year-old conflict. Mr Trump has threatened both sanctions on Russia and buyers of its exports unless progress is made. The fresh deadline suggests he is prepared to move forward on those threats after previous hesitation to do so. Speaking in Scotland, where he is holding meetings with European leaders and playing golf, Mr Trump said he was disappointed in Putin, and was shortening a 50-day deadline he had set on the issue earlier this month. 'I'm going to make a new deadline of about... 10 or 12 days from today,' Mr Trump told reporters during a meeting with British prime minister Keir Starmer. 'There's no reason in waiting... We just don't see any progress being made,' he added. There was no immediate comment from the Kremlin. In a post on X, former Russian president Dmitry Medvedev, a close ally of Putin, said Mr Trump was playing 'a game of ultimatums' that could lead to a war involving the US. Mr Medvedev wrote: 'Each new ultimatum is a threat and a step towards war. 'Not between Russia and Ukraine, but with (Trump's) own country.' Ukraine welcomed the statement from Mr Trump. Andriy Yermak, president Volodymyr Zelensky's chief of staff, thanked Mr Trump in a social media post for 'standing firm and delivering a clear message of peace through strength'. Mr Trump, who has expressed annoyance also with Mr Zelensky, has not always followed tough talk about Putin with action, citing what he deems a good relationship that the two men have had previously. Yesterday, he indicated he was not interested in more talks with Putin. He said sanctions and tariffs would be used as penalties for Moscow if it did not meet his demands. 'There's no reason to wait. If you know what the answer is going to be, why wait? 'And it would be sanctions and maybe tariffs, secondary tariffs,' Mr Trump said. 'I don't want to do that to Russia. I love the Russian people.' Ukraine had proposed a summit between Putin and Mr Zelensky before the end of August, but the Kremlin has said that timeline was unlikely and that a meeting could only happen as a final step to clinch peace. Russia's foreign ministry said on Saturday that if the West wanted real peace with Ukraine, it would stop supplying Kyiv with weapons. Mr Trump has repeatedly voiced exasperation with Putin for pursuing attacks on Ukraine despite US efforts to end the war. He has played up successes in other parts of the world where the US has helped to broker peace agreements, and has been flattered by some leaders who suggest he should be given the Nobel Peace Prize. 'I'm disappointed in president Putin,' Mr Trump said yesterday. 'I'm going to reduce that 50 days that I gave him to a lesser number because I think I already know the answer what's going to happen.' Mr Trump, who is also struggling to achieve a peace deal in Gaza, has touted his role in ending conflicts between India and Pakistan as well as Rwanda and Congo. Before returning to the White House in January, he campaigned on a pledge to end Russia's conflict with Ukraine in a day.
Irish Examiner
35 minutes ago
- Irish Examiner
Trump caps his Scottish visit by opening a new golf course
US President Donald Trump is opening a new golf course bearing his name in Scotland on Tuesday, capping a five-day foreign trip designed around promoting his family's luxury properties and playing golf. Trump and his sons, Eric and Donald Jr., are cutting the ceremonial ribbon and playing the first-ever round at the new Trump course in the village of Balmedie, on the northern coast of Scotland. The overseas jaunt let Trump escape Washington's sweaty summer humidity and the still-raging scandal over the case of Jeffrey Epstein. It was mostly built around golf — and walking the new course before it officially begins offering rounds to the public on Aug. 13, adding to a lengthy list of ways Trump has used the White House to promote his brand. Billing itself the 'Greatest 36 Holes in Golf,' the Trump International Golf Links, Scotland, was designed by Eric Trump. The course is hosting a PGA Seniors Championship event later this week, after Trump leaves. Signs promoting the event had already been erected all over the course before he arrived on Tuesday, and, on the motor way leading in, temporary metal signs guided drivers onto the correct road. Golfers hitting the course at dawn as part of that event had to put their clubs through metal detectors erected as part of the security sweeps ahead of Trump's arrival. Several dozen people, some dressed for golf, including wearing golf shoes, had filled the sand trap near the tee box to watch the ribbon-cutting ceremony shortly before it was scheduled to start. Another group of people were watching from the other side in tall grass growing on sand dunes flanking the first hole. Also from Scotland's north is the president's late mother, Mary Anne MacLeod, who was born on the Isle of Lewis, immigrated to New York and died in 2000 at age 88. 'My mother loved Scotland,' Trump said during a meeting with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Monday at another one of his golf courses, Turnberry, on Scotland's southern coast. 'It's different when your mother was born here.' WHAT DO YA NEED? US President Donald Trump at Turnberry before he moved onto Aberdeenshire and a plush new resort course Trump used his trip to meet with Starmer and reach a trade framework for tariffs between the US and the European Union's 27 member countries — though scores of key details remain to be hammered out. But the trip has featured a lot of golf, and having the president visit is sure to raise the new course's profile. Trump's assets are in a trust, and his sons are running the family business while he's in the White House. Any business generated at the course will ultimately enrich the president when he leaves office, though. Visible from various parts of the new course were towering windmills lining the coast — some with blades that showed visible dots of rust. They are part of a nearby windfarm that Trump sued to block construction of in 2013. He lost that case and was eventually ordered to pay legal costs for bringing it — and the issue still enrages him. During the meeting with Starmer, Trump called windmills 'ugly monsters' and suggested they were part of 'the most expensive form of energy.' 'I restricted windmills in the United States because they also kill all your birds,' Trump said. 'If you shoot a bald eagle in the United States, they put you in jail for five years. And windmills knock out hundreds of them. They don't do anything. Explain that.' Starmer said in the U.K, 'we believe in a mix' of energy, including oil and gas and renewables. The new golf course will be the third owned by the Trump Organisation in Scotland. Trump bought Turnberry in 2014 and owns another course near Aberdeen that opened in 2012. He is, of course, also the owner of th elinks track in Doonbeg, in west Clare. Trump golfed at Turnberry on Saturday as protesters took to the streets, and on Sunday. He invited Starmer, who famously doesn't golf, aboard Air Force One so the prime minister could get a private tour of his Aberdeen properties before Tuesday's ceremonial opening. 'Even if you play badly, it's still good,' Trump said of golfing on his course over the weekend. 'If you had a bad day on the golf course, it's OK. It's better than other days.' Trump also found time to to praise Turnberry's renovated ballroom, which he said he'd paid lavishly to upgrade — even suggesting that he might install one like it at the White House. 'I could take this one, drop it right down there,' Trump joked. 'And it would be beautiful.' Associated Press
