Token prize-money rises are laughable in the face of worsening talent drain

When in the company of owners, trainers or breeders, it’s only a matter of (a very short) time before they raise the subject of Britain’s woeful prize-money.

No change there – it has been true for decades now. But the chickens have come home to roost. The exodus of higher-rated horses abroad has increased dramatically and the consequences of that are all too plain.

Outside York’s Ebor festival, the Group races for three-year-olds and older run in Britain in August were pitiful. They were so uncompetitive that all eight were won by horses registering their first victory at Pattern level. Coincidence? I don’t think so.