O'Meara: stayers are sold abroad instead of racing for low British prize-money

David O'Meara believes the good prize-money on offer at Ripon last month was not rewarded with substantial fields because many horses have already been sold abroad.

The Yorkshire-based trainer cited poor prize-money throughout the season as the main motivating factor in owners' desire to accept big-money offers from overseas, with the two £22,000 races at Ripon akin to the sport closing the door after the horse has already bolted.

The migration of higher-rated older horses to race abroad for greater riches is a long-standing issue in Britain and O'Meara has again been on the receiving end, with a number of his horses in that category leaving his yard over the winter.