This artcile was published in the Daily Telegraph yesterday....
Newcastle is among the Horsemenâs Group seven blacklisted courses
Seven National Hunt tracks are on a Horsemenâs Group blacklist after they failed all of the groupâs new assessment criteria drawn up by their executive, which represents five major bodies in racing.
Newcastle, which stages Saturdayâs Grade One Fighting Fifth Hurdle, heads the list of 'outlawedâ courses that includes Hexham, Towcester, Catterick, Leicester, Lingfield Park and Folkestone.
Alan Morcombe, chief executive of the Horsemenâs Group, said he was reluctant to use the word 'boycottâ, but stressed that his group would advise their members not to run horses at any racetrack on the blacklist.
However, there is still an avenue left for those courses seeking reassessment. âThey have until the end of the year to enter into dialogue with us. This is the right time [to discuss the matter], because most operate on the calendar year and will be doing their budgets for 2012,â said Morcombe.
The Horsemenâs Group represents the Racehorse Owners Association, National Trainers Federation, Thoroughbred Breeders Association, Professional Jockeys Association and stable staff. From the outset their pitch has been to squeeze more prize money out of racecourses, which they claim are enjoying buoyant times, with increased attendances and a significant hike in media rights revenue.
Based on the groupâs calculations â from sources that are available in the public domain, according to Morcombe â there will be an increase of £17.5 million in the amount of money available in 2011-12, from the Levy Board, owners, racecourses and their sponsorship, plus media rights. âWe believe £6  million of that should find its way into prize money,â he said.
The changes to the Tariff scheme are âan attempt to better identify and rewardâ those racecourses supportive of the groupâs twin aims of sustainable prize money and a balanced race programme. Although Morcombe refused to disclose the formula for calculating the Tariffs, the system has been broadened to reflect other factors.
Morcombe said they were reacting to concerns that smaller courses were being discriminated against and cited Fakenham as an example of a smaller track that had done everything to make itself more appealing to owners and trainers.
âWe will proactively try to fill those races if Fakenham have difficulty with entries,â he said.
Arena Group own two of the blacklisted courses and its director of racing, Ian Renton, said: âWe have had a lot of dialogue with them [Horsemenâs Group] recently. They are aware of the substantial amount we are putting into prize money going forward. I am sure that Folkestone and Lingfield will meet most of the requirements, if not all of them.â
Morcombe also made the point that the Horsemenâs Group owned 50 per cent of REL, the commercial arm of the BHA, which in effect made them half responsible for Racing For Change. It seems that every point counts in a power struggle.
Now ive only been to 2 of the 'Black Listed' courses, Newcastle about 5 times and Leicester twice, and i enjoyed all trips that i went on. They are certainly not Royal Ascot nor are they like the old Dog track at Bolton that ive been to... Never again...(though its knocked down now. That was just like a bomb site...!!! ) I do think that the Bookies should put more back to the courses but as they now make so much money away from horse racing and have all accounts off shore, i dont think they really care... I think they want internet betting only now a days...!!!
Whats the general feeling of the race goer on this forum... Do they have a point or are they running down the wrong track...???
Any thoughts welcome...
Newcastle is among the Horsemenâs Group seven blacklisted courses
Seven National Hunt tracks are on a Horsemenâs Group blacklist after they failed all of the groupâs new assessment criteria drawn up by their executive, which represents five major bodies in racing.
Newcastle, which stages Saturdayâs Grade One Fighting Fifth Hurdle, heads the list of 'outlawedâ courses that includes Hexham, Towcester, Catterick, Leicester, Lingfield Park and Folkestone.
Alan Morcombe, chief executive of the Horsemenâs Group, said he was reluctant to use the word 'boycottâ, but stressed that his group would advise their members not to run horses at any racetrack on the blacklist.
However, there is still an avenue left for those courses seeking reassessment. âThey have until the end of the year to enter into dialogue with us. This is the right time [to discuss the matter], because most operate on the calendar year and will be doing their budgets for 2012,â said Morcombe.
The Horsemenâs Group represents the Racehorse Owners Association, National Trainers Federation, Thoroughbred Breeders Association, Professional Jockeys Association and stable staff. From the outset their pitch has been to squeeze more prize money out of racecourses, which they claim are enjoying buoyant times, with increased attendances and a significant hike in media rights revenue.
Based on the groupâs calculations â from sources that are available in the public domain, according to Morcombe â there will be an increase of £17.5 million in the amount of money available in 2011-12, from the Levy Board, owners, racecourses and their sponsorship, plus media rights. âWe believe £6  million of that should find its way into prize money,â he said.
The changes to the Tariff scheme are âan attempt to better identify and rewardâ those racecourses supportive of the groupâs twin aims of sustainable prize money and a balanced race programme. Although Morcombe refused to disclose the formula for calculating the Tariffs, the system has been broadened to reflect other factors.
Morcombe said they were reacting to concerns that smaller courses were being discriminated against and cited Fakenham as an example of a smaller track that had done everything to make itself more appealing to owners and trainers.
âWe will proactively try to fill those races if Fakenham have difficulty with entries,â he said.
Arena Group own two of the blacklisted courses and its director of racing, Ian Renton, said: âWe have had a lot of dialogue with them [Horsemenâs Group] recently. They are aware of the substantial amount we are putting into prize money going forward. I am sure that Folkestone and Lingfield will meet most of the requirements, if not all of them.â
Morcombe also made the point that the Horsemenâs Group owned 50 per cent of REL, the commercial arm of the BHA, which in effect made them half responsible for Racing For Change. It seems that every point counts in a power struggle.
Now ive only been to 2 of the 'Black Listed' courses, Newcastle about 5 times and Leicester twice, and i enjoyed all trips that i went on. They are certainly not Royal Ascot nor are they like the old Dog track at Bolton that ive been to... Never again...(though its knocked down now. That was just like a bomb site...!!! ) I do think that the Bookies should put more back to the courses but as they now make so much money away from horse racing and have all accounts off shore, i dont think they really care... I think they want internet betting only now a days...!!!
Whats the general feeling of the race goer on this forum... Do they have a point or are they running down the wrong track...???
Any thoughts welcome...
