RCA warns courses may cut prize-money contributions in wake of prize-money row

In a stark warning to the sport the Racecourse Association on Monday revealed the bulk of their members were considering reducing prize-money contributions this year.

The RCA described the headwinds faced by the industry from falling media rights, the trigger for Arena Racing Company's prize-money cuts that have sparked the boycotting of races by trainers, as "extremely significant".

The chill from those winds is already being felt by racegoers with just 19 runners declared for Lingfield’s six-race all-weather meeting on Wednesday, a figure subsequently reduced to 17 with two non-runners.

Ralph Beckett, the orchestrator of the prize-money boycotts, on Monday sympathised with racegoers who also face having reduced fare at five other meetings at Arc-owned tracks targeted for action: Fontwell on Wednesday, Southwell on Thursday and Lingfield and Newcastle on Friday.

The RCA revealed that a survey among its members at the start of this year found 88 per cent of the 51 respondents were actively considering reducing prize-money in 2019.

That figure rose to 98 per cent in 2020, while 84 per cent had already postponed or cancelled previously planned capital expenditure projects.

In welcoming a temporary truce between Arc and the National Trainers Federation over the prize-money cuts, a statement by the RCA said: "The headwinds that this issue of falling media rights will cause across the industry are extremely significant."

In pointing out that executive contributions by racecourses to prize- money have risen by 74 per cent over the past five years, RCA chief executive David Armstrong said: "Our industry is facing some major economic challenges.

"Now is the time for all parties to work together collaboratively on developing solutions rather than focusing on short term differences. We look forward to engaging in the upcoming conversations in a positive and open spirit. "

Forty entries were made for Lingfield and less than half were declared, leaving racegoers the prospect of three matches.

Beckett, an NTF council member, said: "The general view among the training ranks is that the temporary agreement came too late for the meetings on Wednesday and Thursday. The entry stage was closed and the number of entries dictates that, and we can't do much about that.

“As horsemen and women we're very disappointed for the general public they will not get the show they deserve in the coming days at Arc tracks.

“We're pleased that owners initiated the widespread decision by so many individuals, to demonstrate to Arc the livelihoods of trainers, racing staff and jockeys depend on reasonable prize-money levels. It's encouraging that it has been taken seriously, and we hope that we will not have to resort to such extreme measures in future.”

The dispute was triggered by Arc’s decision to cut nearly £3 million from executive contributions to prize-money, consequently denying itself the opportunity to release £4.5 million of levy funding for lower-grade races. On Saturday, Arc committed to unlocking levy board funding for all eligible races for March.

A meeting with racecourses and horsemen has been scheduled for Tuesday by the BHA to address the impending impact on media rights funding generally, as the April 1 cut in maximum FOBT stakes that sparked Arc’s action looms.

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