PartialLogo
Comment
premium

Racing needs to wake up to grim reality that the economic forecast looks chilly

Sunny afternoon: prize-money storms clouds are forgotten as the novice runners pass the stands with odds-on favourite Top Power in front before weakening into fourth
Trainers boycotted races at Lingfield last weekend over prize-moneyCredit: Edward Whitaker

February may have produced record temperatures but the atmosphere between Arena Racing Company and owners and trainers has become considerably chillier.

The economic climate for British racing appears to be changing for the worse and the sooner the sport realises that and comes up with a way forward that reflects the new environment the better.

The financial pressure facing racecourses due to reduced media rights income caused by wholesale betting shop closures stemming from the government's crackdown on FOBTs has been flagged up for months now. Predictions of a loss of income for the sport of as much as £40- £60 million a year have been common knowledge for months.

Read the full story

Read award-winning journalism from the best writers in racing, with exclusive news, interviews, columns, investigations, stable tours and subscriber-only emails.

Subscribe to unlock
  • Racing Post digital newspaper (worth over £100 per month)
  • Award-winning journalism from the best writers in racing
  • Expert tips from the likes of Tom Segal and Paul Kealy
  • Replays and results analysis from all UK and Irish racecourses
  • Form study tools including the Pro Card and Horse Tracker
  • Extensive archive of statistics covering horses, trainers, jockeys, owners, pedigree and sales data
Subscribe

Already a subscriber?Log in

author image
Industry editor

Published on inComment

Last updated

iconCopy