Paul Dixon: new commercial agreements are needed as part of racing overhaul

Former Racehorse Owners Association (ROA) president Paul Dixon believes new commercial agreements between racecourses and owners should be at the heart of work being done to overhaul the governance of British racing and develop its strategy.

Prize-money agreements based on racecourse media rights have previously been agreed with the sport's participants but Dixon, who was also founding chairman of what is now the Thoroughbred Group, said new arrangements should be based on racecourses' total income.

"Total income is fairly transparent to see, it goes through their accounts," Dixon said. "You can see what they make and you can see what they put into prize-money. York, Ascot, Cheltenham, Aintree – they don't rely on media rights, they rely on footfall and people coming through the door.