Greyhounds
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KATH HARRIS is the latest licence-holder to speak out about the acute financial problems that trainers are facing on a daily basis and is threatening the future of the industry.
The Bolton-based handler is so disillusioned with the situation that she has handed in notice on her contract at Belle Vue and will leave after the meeting on September 7.
She says: “It’s a ridiculous situation. I’m working seven days a week and up to 15 hours a day and have been ploughing my own money into the business just to keep afloat.
“Prize-money levels are a disgrace and costs are rising continuously and it’s all work, work, work, and stress, stress, stress.
“Since the introduction of Sunday meetings at Belle Vue we don’t even get any time over the weekend. There is just no work/life balance and I have had enough.
“My husband and I recently took our first holiday for years and we were talking to some people who ran their own businesses and when we told them what we did and what it was costing us they couldn’t believe it and said they thought we were daft.
“It’s affecting trainers the length and breadth of the country and something has to be done about it before it is too late.
“I’m 57 and have been in greyhound racing all my life, first going round with my father and helping with his dogs and then looking after my own for the past 30 years or so. I feel so sad. I love the game and can’t leave it completely, but I’ll go back to doing it as a hobby, with just a few open-race dogs in the kennel.
“Fortunately a couple of people have said that they would like to put open racers with me and my good bitch Starmount Swift, who was runner-up in the Brighton Belle a couple of years ago, is booked to got to Milldean Panther when she comes in season so, hopefully, we will have a nice litter of pups to look forward to as well.
“But I do fear for the future if the problem is not addressed and quickly.”
The Bolton-based handler is so disillusioned with the situation that she has handed in notice on her contract at Belle Vue and will leave after the meeting on September 7.
She says: “It’s a ridiculous situation. I’m working seven days a week and up to 15 hours a day and have been ploughing my own money into the business just to keep afloat.
“Prize-money levels are a disgrace and costs are rising continuously and it’s all work, work, work, and stress, stress, stress.
“Since the introduction of Sunday meetings at Belle Vue we don’t even get any time over the weekend. There is just no work/life balance and I have had enough.
“My husband and I recently took our first holiday for years and we were talking to some people who ran their own businesses and when we told them what we did and what it was costing us they couldn’t believe it and said they thought we were daft.
“It’s affecting trainers the length and breadth of the country and something has to be done about it before it is too late.
“I’m 57 and have been in greyhound racing all my life, first going round with my father and helping with his dogs and then looking after my own for the past 30 years or so. I feel so sad. I love the game and can’t leave it completely, but I’ll go back to doing it as a hobby, with just a few open-race dogs in the kennel.
“Fortunately a couple of people have said that they would like to put open racers with me and my good bitch Starmount Swift, who was runner-up in the Brighton Belle a couple of years ago, is booked to got to Milldean Panther when she comes in season so, hopefully, we will have a nice litter of pups to look forward to as well.
“But I do fear for the future if the problem is not addressed and quickly.”
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If you look on the Belle Vue Owners website, the real reason she left is on there. Some nasty people seem to run Belle Vue.
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its a shame the r p didn't tell the full story , but then they wouldn't would they ?
bullying at work ? ..... there's a law against that over there isn't there G R A at the bottom of it whichever way you look at it, shame nice lady by all accounts  |
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shame
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how long are you expecting the new contract trainer from Carlisle to last?
Until Christmas? As far as Easter? Cant see ho it can be a viable business travelling that far unless he is able to get a few quid on and bag a few winners. |
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Irishone - can you copy and paste that story?
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please
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Are they trying to run the place down?
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