British racing has plenty of problems - but it really isn't always Ireland's poor neighbour
Before we move forward, as one inevitably must in the opening days of a new year, let us go back, albeit only briefly.
The final Racing Post edition of 2023 featured a Big Read in which racing figures told me about their hopes for 2024. It would have been pretty depressing had their words been filled with guff and rubbish but, on the contrary, I've seldom seen so much good sense packed into three pages.
Joe Saumarez Smith expressed a wish that industry leaders frame their future decisions around the sport's long-term interests, not their own individual bonuses, which, he noted, are likely based on profit and loss over a 12-month period. It was a remarkably bold statement, given it implied personal financial considerations are taking precedence over what is actually best for British racing. The fact the BHA chair felt the need to say this is powerful in itself. The fact he did say it is greatly to his credit.
Read the full story
Read award-winning journalism from the best writers in racing, with exclusive news, interviews, columns, investigations, stable tours and subscriber-only emails.
Subscribe to unlock
- Racing Post digital newspaper (worth over £100 per month)
- Award-winning journalism from the best writers in racing
- Expert tips from the likes of Tom Segal and Paul Kealy
- Replays and results analysis from all UK and Irish racecourses
- Form study tools including the Pro Card and Horse Tracker
- Extensive archive of statistics covering horses, trainers, jockeys, owners, pedigree and sales data
Already a subscriber?Log in
- Epsom means business with its week-long Derby festival - and here is how the radical revamp could look
- To race or not to race? Corach Rambler's connections confronted a tough question and found the right answer
- Racing leaders face huge decisions - but could any amount of money justify relinquishing control of the crown jewels?
- The Jockey Club knows how it is perceived and wants to change - but that change must happen faster
- The numbers that tell a powerful story about British prize-money - and they might come as a surprise
- Epsom means business with its week-long Derby festival - and here is how the radical revamp could look
- To race or not to race? Corach Rambler's connections confronted a tough question and found the right answer
- Racing leaders face huge decisions - but could any amount of money justify relinquishing control of the crown jewels?
- The Jockey Club knows how it is perceived and wants to change - but that change must happen faster
- The numbers that tell a powerful story about British prize-money - and they might come as a surprise