Arc reaches temporary prize-money agreement with trainers

Arena Racing Company on Saturday night agreed with the National Trainers Federation it would commit the necessary prize-money to unlock levy board funding for all eligible races in March.

The climbdown followed days of rising tension between the racecourse group and trainers, who have boycotted several races over Arc's decision to cut nearly £3 million from its 2019 prize-money contribution, money which in turn would have unlocked £4.5m in levy funding for lower-grade racing.

Arc had earlier in the week proposed reassigning prize-money from the top of its race programme in order to access the levy funding, but many trainers rejected the compromise and planned to boycott forthcoming meetings.

The new agreement will see Arc commit fresh prize-money to its programme, although the sum will be reduced by £55,000 to reflect the financial impact of trainers declining to run horses in races at Lingfield and Sedgefield. As such, Arc's new contribution is understood to be in the region of £180,000 and will unlock around £364,000 of levy funding.

Arc chief executive Martin Cruddace said: "We are pleased to continue constructive dialogue with the NTF. The racing industry has wider issues to address beyond this specific prize-money debate and we clearly have bridges to build. As such we are delighted that negotiations will begin on Tuesday.

"We are grateful to Nick Rust and his team at the BHA for assisting in brokering this moratorium, which will allow the time for these further talks to take place."

NTF president Ann Duffield said: "We are pleased that we have been able to reach this position with Arc and have welcomed the spirit of the negotiations. We look forward to continuing further positive talks early next week. Our thanks also to the BHA for their continued involvement in these discussions."

Earlier on Saturday, Cruddace had struck a conciliatory note in an appearance on ITV's The Opening Show.

He said: “I’m desperate that we resolve this, not just for us – we’re going to be fine – it’s desperate for the industry, which I care a lot about. There was a potential deal last week that would have given us a moratorium for a month.

“It didn’t quite happen but there are discussions going to go ahead next week with senior leaders of racing – horsemen, owners and racecourses – and I do believe that, with sensible heads, we can find a way through this, because we have to.

“For me, the most immediate need is to put £4.5 million that we cannot unlock, that’s sitting in reserves, for those Class 4, 5 and 6 races, which is £1,400 a race. That’s the most immediate need.”

While trainers rejected Cruddace's earlier proposal to reallocate prize-money from higher grade races, the way funds are assigned was a theme he returned to on ITV.

“We do need an industry discussion about whether or not we have the right balance between the prize-money at the top end, and the prize-money in Class 4, 5 and 6 races on the Flat, [and Class] 3, 4 and 5 over jumps, which actually is the pyramid of the sport’s funding," he said.

“I think it actually depends on having grown up discussions with horsemen, with racecourses, about whether we have the allocation mechanism right. ”