Beckett calls on racing to shoulder more of rising costs' burden to help owners

British racing needs to move to a position where there is a greater all-round contribution to the rising costs facing the sport rather than relying on owners to constantly foot the bill, according to Ralph Beckett.

The Classic-winning trainer was backed up by owners who questioned whether the Racehorse Owners Association (ROA) remained capable of representing them adequately, while the Levy Board indicated it had a limited ability to boost prize-money to counteract the industry’s rising costs.

Trainers have outlined how the price of essentials such as feed, bedding and fuel has been rising in recent months. A rationalisation of the approach taken within racing was required, Beckett said, but merely passing the prices down to owners would not be a way to promote the long-term interests of the industry.