Racing must not allow grassroots cuts

It gives me no pleasure to be proved correct in forecasting that Arena Racing Company would be the first in line to break ranks on prize-money contributions required under the BHA’s excellent grassroots initiative for Class 4-6 races.

It was announced this week that from February 11 Arc will no longer support the BHA initiative where they require to put in an additional £900 for Class 4-6 races, thereby allowing an unlocking of further funding of £1,600 from the BHA.

This initiative has to date proved a huge help in offsetting the imbalance of prize-money returns at grassroots level and has had widespread support from racing.