As good a job that racing is doing to keep “the show on the road”, the current situation is definitely starting to take its toll. This week, news was released that Arena Racing, who control a large number of UK racecourses, have written to their staff to advise of significant restructuring and probable redundancies at all levels across their business. This is hardly surprising given the lack of spectators and the resulting income that is missing from their books at the moment. There is unrest in the industry about the division of media rights money, as these have been largely retained by racecourses, but whilst owners, trainers, jockeys and stable staff are suffering from reduced prize money, there can be no doubt that courses are suffering as well, and everyone needs to work together to make the best of a bad situation. Of course, it is not only the racing industry that has suffered. I am sure that many of you will be in industries that have been impacted, and we all need to support each other as much as possible and accept that it is a long road back to economic recovery.
Increased Owners On Racecourses But Spectator Trials Still Awaited
Most courses are now allowing four owners per runner at the courses, and we can stay all afternoon. Tracks are also trying to be flexible and allow a few extras to owners, if other owners are not taking up their allocation. Most courses are trying to offer some hot food, even if it is only soup, and it is certainly a more enjoyable experience for owners, although it will be better still when there are some spectators.
The trial of spectators that was scheduled at Goodwood was cancelled the day before it was due to happen. It is a tough job to allow such things, whilst still trying to keep infection levels down, and I am in no way suggesting that things should happen before it is sensible to do so, but it will greatly improve the racing experience when more people are able to be trackside.
On The Racecourse This Month
Our Anjaal flat filly, Silver Imperial, had a bit of a knock and so we are still awaiting her third run, which hopefully will get her a handicap mark that will allow her to be competitive over the rest of the year.
I had “one of those days” that racing ownership can deliver, when I trekked off to Southwell to watch Fr Humphrey have his second run a fortnight ago. I was hopeful that, with the benefit of a previous run under his belt, he might run well, but after a three-hour drive to the course, he ducked out through the wings of the first fence, meaning the action was over before it had begun. I was faced with a long drive home chatting to disappointed shareholders and, worse still, poor Harry Reed (who was riding for us) was left with a broken arm.
Fr Humphrey returned to Uttoxeter a week later and ran a nice race to finish 4th, probably still slightly in need of the run. This was a big step forward and, hopefully, he will go close next time.
The Other BG Racing Horses
My Brother is still going really well at Neil Mulholland’s and is ready to run. We are monitoring ground conditions closely, as we would ideally want some “good to soft” in the going description since he is returning from injury. Fingers crossed, we can get him out to the racecourse in early September. Our other horse, Dynamic Kate is also not far away, and I expect her to debut in October.
Betting Profits
Both my trainers, Michael Attwater and Neil Mulholland have been in fine form and firing in the winners. Both let me know their thoughts on their runners each day as I produce a daily email for my shareholders, and we have made some nice profits in recent weeks!
Future Plans
I have shares available in all the horses and there is more information on all the horses on my website www.bgracingsyndicates.co.uk , where I also post a weekly update under latest news. If you have any specific questions about racehorse ownership, I would also be happy to respond to them, just drop me a note via my website contact page.
