Latest news with #PremierRacedays
Scottish Sun
2 days ago
- Business
- Scottish Sun
British racing is rudderless and staring at a £66million blackhole – we need firm leadership NOW
We need stability and a way forward in this time of uncertainty MATT CHAPMAN British racing is rudderless and staring at a £66million blackhole – we need firm leadership NOW BRITISH horse racing is rudderless and in need of a huge governance overhaul. But is a rudderless organisation one you would hand your assets to? It's a big question. Advertisement 1 Will Lord Allen be the new man in charge of the BHA - does he even want the job given the almighty mess he will be tasked with fixing? Credit: PA You would think we are on the verge of armageddon. Maybe we are. Only time will tell. As I write, the BHA is without a chief executive - Brant Dunshea is currently a stand in - and has no chairman. In recent months it has also lost plenty of key players. The body should have a chairman. Advertisement Lord Allen, a Labour peer, was due to take up the post on June 2. However, BHA announced on May 30 this would not be happening, stating he wanted to speak to stakeholders 'to better inform his vision for the sport'. Lord Allen is not a massive racing fan and he's not in need of cash. But many in racing feel his appointment is crucial with his close alliance to Government and business acumen. Advertisement He's the man, apparently, to sort out major issues like British racing's funding model and a fixture list that regularly frustrates. Premier Racedays and their promotion have also been a shambles. Behind the scenes it is clear Lord Allen is not happy with negotiations and progress with the various factions in horse racing. We all know it's hard to get any consensus between the Racecourse Association, Racehorse Owners Association, Thoroughbred Breeders Association and 'Licensed Personnel' covering trainers, jockeys and stable staff. Advertisement And so British racing, a huge industry and the second most watched sport in the country, is in limbo. Right now, we believe July 28 is D-Day for Lord Allen's takeover. In terms of taking up his role, word on the street is he's gone from an odds-on shot to odds against. But everyone is guessing. Meanwhile, most in racing are united in begging Sir Keir Starmer's Government not to put a 'racing tax' onto British racing. Advertisement The sport's already under-pressure finances could be hit by at least £66million if the 15 per cent levied on racing and sports is harmonised with the 21 per cent duty on online games of chance. You would think one of the reasons Lord Allen would be useful is getting the message across to Sir Keir about the catastrophic consequences of any tax increases. I've seen nothing to suggest that has happened. We are led to believe that Lord Allen would want fixtures - mostly owned by the racecourses - to head back to the BHA, or BHE as I think it may end up being called. Advertisement But if you had a racetrack and someone told you that, for the good of racing fixtures, it should be handled by newly-named BHE, why would you think that was a good idea? Most racecourses are run by financial experts. Particularly the main groups. It's hard to think of any circumstance where their money people would say giving their treasures to a rudderless organisation was a decent concept. It's all a mess. Racing needs to get it's act together. Advertisement Current campaigns are welcome. But why were they not instigated years ago? We all knew what was coming. Everyone was silent. You snooze you lose. It's as simple as that. Watch Indecent Proposal. On the racing front Glorious Goodwood is around the corner and you will get all the best racing coverage in this paper. On Saturday, however, it's the Juddmonte Irish Oaks but the sponsors won't be taking the prize. Advertisement All being equal the winner will be Epsom heroine Minnie Hauk, who defeated Whirl when last seen and she has already franked the form, taking the Group 1 Pretty Polly. Minnie Hauk will be long odds on and should have a stroll in the Curragh park. At Newbury there's a cracker for the Group 3 Hallgarten and Novum Wines Hackwood Stakes, featuring last year's 1-3-4 in Elite Status, Kind of Blue and Regional. Kind of Blue and Regional both have the ability to score with ease, but I'm interested in Elite Status once again. Advertisement Karl Burke continues to believe in this horse, but now he turns to first-time cheekpieces after a fair fourth at York and a disappointing performance at Royal Ascot. He might just win it again. As for the big juvenile event, the Weatherbys Super Sprint Stakes which is worth a lot of money, surely Havana Hurricane will take all the beating for jockey Charlie Bishop and trainer Eve Johnson Houghton. The Listed Windsor Castle hero stays well and has a turn of pace suited to running at a big field. Advertisement Certainly his odds will be shorter than the fictional ones on offer for Lord Allen! 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. Remember to gamble responsibly A responsible gambler is someone who: 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.
The Irish Sun
2 days ago
- Business
- The Irish Sun
British racing is rudderless and staring at a £66million blackhole – we need firm leadership NOW
BRITISH horse racing is rudderless and in need of a huge governance overhaul. But is a rudderless organisation one you would hand your assets to? It's a big question. 1 Will Lord Allen be the new man in charge of the BHA - does he even want the job given the almighty mess he will be tasked with fixing? Credit: PA You would think we are on the verge of armageddon. Maybe we are. Only time will tell. As I write, the BHA is without a chief executive - Brant Dunshea is currently a stand in - and has no chairman. In recent months it has also lost plenty of key players. The body should have a chairman. Lord Allen, a Labour peer, was due to take up the post on June 2. However, BHA announced on May 30 this would not be happening, stating he wanted to speak to stakeholders 'to better inform his vision for the sport'. Lord Allen is not a massive racing fan and he's not in need of cash. But many in racing feel his appointment is crucial with his close alliance to Government and business acumen. Most read in Horse Racing He's the man, apparently, to sort out major issues like British racing's funding model and a fixture list that regularly frustrates. Premier Racedays and their promotion have also been a shambles. Behind the scenes it is clear Lord Allen is not happy with negotiations and progress with the various factions in horse racing. We all know it's hard to get any consensus between the Racecourse Association, Racehorse Owners Association, Thoroughbred Breeders Association and 'Licensed Personnel' covering trainers, jockeys and stable staff. And so British racing, a huge industry and the second most watched sport in the country, is in limbo. Right now, we believe July 28 is D-Day for Lord Allen's takeover. In terms of taking up his role, word on the street is he's gone from an odds-on shot to odds against. But everyone is guessing. Meanwhile, most in racing are united in begging Sir Keir Starmer's Government not to put a 'racing tax' onto British racing. The sport's already under-pressure finances could be hit by at least £66million if the 15 per cent levied on racing and sports is harmonised with the 21 per cent duty on online games of chance. You would think one of the reasons Lord Allen would be useful is getting the message across to Sir Keir about the catastrophic consequences of any tax increases. I've seen nothing to suggest that has happened. We are led to believe that Lord Allen would want fixtures - mostly owned by the racecourses - to head back to the BHA, or BHE as I think it may end up being called. But if you had a racetrack and someone told you that, for the good of racing fixtures, it should be handled by newly-named BHE, why would you think that was a good idea? Most racecourses are run by financial experts. Particularly the main groups. It's hard to think of any circumstance where their money people would say giving their treasures to a rudderless organisation was a decent concept. It's all a mess. Racing needs to get it's act together. Current campaigns are welcome. But why were they not instigated years ago? We all knew what was coming. Everyone was silent. You snooze you lose. It's as simple as that. Watch Indecent Proposal. On the racing front Glorious Goodwood is around the corner and you will get all the best racing coverage in this paper. On Saturday, however, it's the Juddmonte Irish Oaks but the sponsors won't be taking the prize. All being equal the winner will be Epsom heroine Minnie Hauk, who defeated Whirl when last seen and she has already franked the form, taking the Group 1 Pretty Polly. Minnie Hauk will be long odds on and should have a stroll in the Curragh park. At Newbury there's a cracker for the Group 3 Hallgarten and Novum Wines Hackwood Stakes, featuring last year's 1-3-4 in Elite Status, Kind of Blue and Regional. Kind of Blue and Regional both have the ability to score with ease, but I'm interested in Elite Status once again. Karl Burke continues to believe in this horse, but now he turns to first-time cheekpieces after a fair fourth at York and a disappointing performance at Royal Ascot. He might just win it again. As for the big juvenile event, the Weatherbys Super Sprint Stakes which is worth a lot of money, surely Havana Hurricane will take all the beating for jockey Charlie Bishop and trainer Eve Johnson Houghton. The Listed Windsor Castle hero stays well and has a turn of pace suited to running at a big field. Certainly his odds will be shorter than the fictional ones on offer for Lord Allen! 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. . 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.
Yahoo
17-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Racing is struggling in Britain but Labour government does not understand that
Baroness Twycross was head of governance at Diabetes UK before being elected on to the London Assembly to become Sadiq Khan's deputy mayor for fire and resilience. She has a proud record of public service, but I contacted the baroness's team last week to ask them what qualifications she had for being minister with responsibility for horse racing and gambling. They assured me that she has been to lots of meetings and is looking forward to visiting a racecourse in the spring. Perhaps with an eye on the weather? But I am sure she found her recent visit to the hundred-odd slot machines at the Hippodrome casino in London enlightening. The baroness will, of course, be able to project a veneer of knowledge before she gets reshuffled back to the House of Lords. At a gathering in Westminster last month, she gave racing a thinly veiled kick in the ribs by highlighting the 'impressive' results from the December Mares Sale in Newmarket. 'I understand the results at Tattersalls were up 20 per cent to 83 million guineas, which is both an eye-watering amount but also a record-breaking achievement.' She might just as well have said 'don't bother to come crying to this government with your begging bowl. You're awash with money'. What she clearly fails to realise is that most of the money came from abroad and most of the mares will be exported and their progeny will never race on these shores. Given that she has an appetite for statistics, she should examine the growing exodus of the best racehorses in this country. In 2019 there were 181 three-year-old Flat horses rated 100-plus racing in Britain, and 118 of them stayed in training to race here as four-year-olds. Cut to 2023, and 136 made that grade, with only 84 staying here to race as older horses. They did not just vanish. They moved abroad to run for better prize money in properly funded jurisdictions. The statistic that I find saddest, however, reveals what devastation is being wreaked at grass-roots level in the rural areas that need economic activity. The number of horses registered to run in point-to-points at this time last year was 1,070. That figure has fallen to 939 this year. The knock-on effect will be fewer meetings and a contracting sport. The baroness betrayed her lack of understanding at the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Racing and Bloodstock gathering by complimenting racing on evolving 'to ensure that it can continue to thrive', adding: 'I'm really encouraged to see the creation of 170 Premier Racedays as a shop window for the sport, which is directing existing fans to top-quality racing and also attracting new fans.' She probably did not actually write those words herself, but she is responsible for saying them. And her speech writer should have been aware that the implementation of Premier Racedays has been an utter car crash. No one with any grasp of the sport whatsoever would namecheck that. And secondly, racing cannot remotely be considered to be thriving. The baroness is at least a fan of betting on horse racing. 'It was great to see gross gambling yield was up by 4.6 per cent,' she gushed. So given that enthusiasm, will she be reining in the bigots at the Gambling Commission? It has already created a £9 million shortfall in horse racing's finances by triggering the introduction of clumsy, misguided and ultimately ineffective affordability checks that are driving punters into the hands of illegal bookmakers. And will she publicly take issue with her Labour MP colleagues such as Dr Beccy Cooper, who recently stated in a Westminster Hall debate that 'gambling is an addiction, and it needs to be addressed appropriately'? Or Anna Dixon, who sees gambling as 'an addiction and a public health issue'? Presumably they also believe that anyone who has a drink on a Friday night is an alcoholic and everyone who eats their own birthday cake is a diabetic. She signed off in Westminster with as empty a sound bite as one will ever hear by referring to 'a government which really supports you'. Of that, there is literally zero evidence. But presumably she has been asked by Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves to find a mechanism for 'kickstarting growth'. Well, here's one. At present, there is a 15 per cent tax on bookmakers' horse racing betting profits, and a 10 per cent levy which is returned to racing. If, however, those percentages were swapped around, racing would receive an extra £50 million a year, which would help stop the exodus of horses. How does the treasury recoup that £50 million? The current taxation on the insidious, addictive online casino games that problem gamblers play on their phones is 20 per cent. Raising that tax by 2.2 per cent would raise the £50 million shortfall. Although the treasury could go further and pocket the difference. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
Telegraph
17-02-2025
- Business
- Telegraph
Racing is struggling in Britain but Labour does not understand that
Baroness Twycross was head of governance at Diabetes UK before being elected on to the London Assembly to become Sadiq Khan's deputy mayor for fire and resilience. She has a proud record of public service, but I contacted the baroness's team last week to ask them what qualifications she had for being minister with responsibility for horse racing and gambling. They assured me that she has been to lots of meetings and is looking forward to visiting a racecourse in the spring. Perhaps with an eye on the weather? But I am sure she found her recent visit to the hundred-odd slot machines at the Hippodrome casino in London enlightening. The baroness will, of course, be able to project a veneer of knowledge before she gets reshuffled back to the House of Lords. At a gathering in Westminster last month, she gave racing a thinly veiled kick in the ribs by highlighting the 'impressive' results from the December Mares Sale in Newmarket. 'I understand the results at Tattersalls were up 20 per cent to 83 million guineas, which is both an eye-watering amount but also a record-breaking achievement.' She might just as well have said ' don't bother to come crying to this government with your begging bowl. You're awash with money'. What she clearly fails to realise is that most of the money came from abroad and most of the mares will be exported and their progeny will never race on these shores. Given that she has an appetite for statistics, she should examine the growing exodus of the best racehorses in this country. In 2019, there were 181 three-year-old Flat horses rated 100-plus racing in Britain, and 118 of them stayed in training to race here as four-year-olds. Cut to 2023, and 136 made that grade, with only 84 staying here to race as older horses. They did not just vanish. They moved abroad to run for better prize money in properly funded jurisdictions. The statistic that I find saddest, however, reveals what devastation is being wreaked at grass-roots level in the rural areas that need economic activity. The number of horses registered to run in point-to-points at this time last year was 1,070. That figure has fallen to 939 this year. The knock-on effect will be fewer meetings and a contracting sport. The baroness betrayed her lack of understanding at the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Racing and Bloodstock gathering by complimenting racing on evolving 'to ensure that it can continue to thrive', adding: 'I'm really encouraged to see the creation of 170 Premier Racedays as a shop window for the sport, which is directing existing fans to top-quality racing and also attracting new fans.' She probably did not actually write those words herself, but she is responsible for saying them. And her speech writer should have been aware that the implementation of Premier Racedays has been an utter car crash. No one with any grasp of the sport whatsoever would namecheck that. And secondly, racing cannot remotely be considered to be thriving. Empty soundbites The baroness is at least a fan of betting on horse racing. 'It was great to see gross gambling yield was up by 4.6 per cent,' she gushed. So given that enthusiasm, will she be reining in the bigots at the Gambling Commission? It has already created a £9 million shortfall in horse racing's finances by triggering the introduction of clumsy, misguided and ultimately ineffective affordability checks that are driving punters into the hands of illegal bookmakers. And will she publicly take issue with her Labour MP colleagues such as Dr Beccy Cooper, who recently stated in a Westminster Hall debate that 'gambling is an addiction, and it needs to be addressed appropriately'? Or Anna Dixon, who sees gambling as 'an addiction and a public health issue'? Presumably they also believe that anyone who has a drink on a Friday night is an alcoholic and everyone who eats their own birthday cake is a diabetic. She signed off in Westminster with as empty a sound bite as one will ever hear by referring to 'a government which really supports you'. Of that, there is literally zero evidence. But presumably she has been asked by Rachel Reeves, Chancellor of the Exchequer, to find a mechanism for 'kickstarting growth'. Well, here is one. At present, there is a 15 per cent tax on bookmakers' horse-racing betting profits, and a 10 per cent levy which is returned to racing. If, however, those percentages were swapped around, racing would receive an extra £50 million a year, which would help stop the exodus of horses. How does the Treasury recoup that £50 million? The current taxation on the insidious, addictive online casino games that problem gamblers play on their phones is 20 per cent. Raising that tax by 2.2 per cent would raise the £50 million shortfall. Although the Treasury could go further and pocket the difference.
