Chronic lack of funds is torpedoing racing's bid to promote welfare message

It made a perfect snapshot of horseracing’s distorted priorities. In a week when British-trained horses will vie for prize-money of $29.2 million in Saudi Arabia on Saturday – and then, four weeks later, for $35m on Dubai World Cup night, a report highlighted that shortage of funds was a prime reason why racing finds itself on the back foot in the welfare debate.

It was a significant theme within a 130-page document published by the Horse Welfare Board, which was inaugurated last year to devise an effective strategy for horse welfare in Britain.

‘A Life Worth Living’ was well received, not least because it was long overdue, and because the industry at large has struggled to portray itself in a positive light. The feeling that here was the blueprint for an effective response generated a collective sigh of relief.