‘We can’t just magic horses out of nowhere’ says Dan Skelton - but is the number of top jumpers really in sharp decline?
Matt Butler delves into the statistics to assess the extent of decline in quality jumps horses and the reasons behind it
When the Long Distance Hurdle at Newbury in November attracted just four runners at the declaration stage, Dan Skelton was unequivocal about the reason.
“We can’t just magic horses out of nowhere,” said Skelton, before reiterating what he said professionals have been saying for some time: “The general number of quality horses are just not there compared to where they used to be”.
But is that the case and to what degree? And if the perception is indeed reality, what impact is that having on the sport at the top level? The numbers reveal plenty.
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Published on inData Points
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