Structure of Irish racing depends on a viable middle tier

Last week's column attempted to convey the concerns held by owners, trainers and other interested parties at the grassroots of the Irish racing and bloodstock industries.

The overall theme, established by individuals who have recently put their views in the public domain, was of having little or no say in the formulation of strategies and policies that could benefit the internal economy of the sport and industry in the broadest terms possible.

In general terms, critics of the current status quo identify excessive concentration on the interests of those at the upper end, the inadequacies of a trickle-down philosophy that has largely framed policies and a resultant threat to livelihoods lower down the racing pyramid.