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28 Oct 25
08:57
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Date Joined:
07 Sep 15
... and only bold reform can stop it from failing
The above is a piece in the RP from a former jockey Richard Killoran, now a global equity analyst, assesses how the sport can arrest a deepening crisis. It's written intelligently and succinctly with a good insight into the sport, and about its present spiral decline.
I agree almost entirely with him in his summary that the sport's most important stakeholders are punters and owners; put them back at the centre - get that right and every other stakeholders will benefit.
Take time to read, and it does make a lot of sense about the present predicament of horseracing in the UK.
The above is a piece in the RP from a former jockey Richard Killoran, now a global equity analyst, assesses how the sport can arrest a deepening crisis. It's written intelligently and succinctly with a good insight into the sport, and about its present spiral decline.
I agree almost entirely with him in his summary that the sport's most important stakeholders are punters and owners; put them back at the centre - get that right and every other stakeholders will benefit.
Take time to read, and it does make a lot of sense about the present predicament of horseracing in the UK.
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An excellent article. Here’s a link: https://www.racingpost.com/news/features/in-focus/british-racing-is-running-...
Horse racing is swimming in riches, they don't tell you that. In fact, I'm at a point where I no longer read the headlines. If it began to really fall, it would get propped up by the millionaires and billionaires.
I keep seeing these headlines “Horse Racing in Crisis" IMO utter rubbish. Like a lot of things in life, it will adjust to its surroundings.
I think it "will sort itself out attitude" will not work this time why? The ever-decreasing number of punters mainly due to age will not be around to help to initiate and prop up horseracing in the UK. And, by the time a new band of punters - assuming this could be found - will be too late; bookies do not need horseracing - it's a loss-leader to them.
The demise could be too ingrained to be fixed as some of the major infrastructures eg racecourses; major owners and trainers; quality horses; etc, could have imploded and gone forever, which will take time to rebuild or restore.
But, punters and owners are absolute key to rejuvenating horseracing UK. The bookies will not - only profit orientated.
The demise could be too ingrained to be fixed as some of the major infrastructures eg racecourses; major owners and trainers; quality horses; etc, could have imploded and gone forever, which will take time to rebuild or restore.
But, punters and owners are absolute key to rejuvenating horseracing UK. The bookies will not - only profit orientated.
Did i hear Aintree got a record crowd the other Day so not deaed just yet.
Walofs.....U agree almost entirely.....stick a poon on the suoperboost and pray
How many were free entry at Aintree with the SKY Vip tickets they do
Oct 28, 2025 -- 1:58PM, acey deucy wrote:
Did i hear Aintree got a record crowd the other Day so not deaed just yet.
Bingo! Horse Racings finances are actually in good shape. These Headlines need to STOP. It will evolve like most sports. Maybe it won't be like it once was. But we can remember the good times
and then adjust to the new.
Most of these negative stories do not help horse racing. Horse Racing is not going away in the next 20 years. What will the Wealthy and Super Rich do with their spare cash?!
The funding model needs to change to help the sports future. I think it only starts there!!
All is OK, William Hill profits rising again!
spot on Trident
spot on Trident
123 admitted a few weeks ago. He would not take anyone he knows to the racetrack
I would like them to justify disco music….especially the sudden blast Pre Nunthorpe…..and fireworks Pre Derby…..
I have to agree , people buying horses for over a million , then running them in the UK for prize money on the low side , for one.Attendances at some big meetings are up. Generally the more you take the mickey , the quicker the crowds dry up . York is the best example of a course giving a lot more value than others. One question I have , having been to literally hundreds of race meetings at 40 different tracks, is where does it mention , on a sign , or in the racecard , how much you can sponsor a race , for , and what that gives you? UNBELIEVABLE !!
Poker….(dire name) 4.3…..unplaced at Redcar…..laughable……his money ? Doubtful imv….
I've seen wads of cash put into betting terminals in the high street like they just found it on the Street!! That needs looking into ( But won't be) 
Horse Racing will stay.
Horse Racing will stay.
I think there are issues especially with the amount of poor quality racing. I like racing and betting but very rarely bet midweek outside of Cheltenham and the summer flat meetings. I want to have a bet but the quality of racing just does not excite me. Surely we can do better, no?
A poor quality horse costs average 400- 500 a week to keep in training. onlynthe die hard are interested in racing Monday to Thursday every week so no point being quality except the big festivals
High quality in Ireland is won by either Aiden or willie
In 1989 there were around 990 race meetings in the UK, and then of course in came the All Weather! In addition there are around 90 more flat meetings per year and a small increase in the number of NH meetings, meaning that now there are around 1460 meetings per year in the UK.
Given the huge increase it's simply impossible to expect the quality to remain as high as it was.
Given the huge increase it's simply impossible to expect the quality to remain as high as it was.
the lady CEO of gaming/gambling seems to have guaranteed no carve out for racing telling committee of mp,s there are no/not any social ills attached to gambling,mp,s staggered by her answer asked her to repeat it to make sure they hadn't misunderstood,and she repeated it,wonder why she thinks bookmakers spend millions on problem gamblers and bookmakers this week alone fined 20 million for not protecting their customers
Widely recognised there's not one factor that you can pinpoint to blame the decline on so the game has been left to flog itself to death.
There were too many fixtures decades ago.
Now there are too few nags being bred for the game it's become a stark reality.
The bulk of the money is directed at the prestige meetings.
Some chump now wants a champions league.
The very thing that excludes the grass roots in other sports.
There were too many fixtures decades ago.
Now there are too few nags being bred for the game it's become a stark reality.
The bulk of the money is directed at the prestige meetings.
Some chump now wants a champions league.
The very thing that excludes the grass roots in other sports.
Ayr 20 years ago…..£3,500
2025……£3,500…..
Decline……
2025……£3,500…..
Decline……
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