Andrew Scutts: how racing finally woke up to the plight of owners in lockdown

Based on correspondence sent to the Racing Post after the sport’s shutdown began, it was clear that owners felt sidelined.

While jockeys and their support network including agents and valets, trainers and stable staff, racecourses and their personnel, and bookmakers and betting shop workers, were the focus of concern, sympathy and first wave of financial help, owners were left to ask, ‘what about us?’

The Racehorse Owners Association was among the organisations and individuals on the end of some stick dished out by owners, but while that early angst might well have been justified, it is equally fair to say that the industry’s response has been impressive.