BHA to review Jump Racing

Perpetual

Perpetual

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Interesting, though can't see me (a normal race going punter) represented...

[h=2]COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW OF JUMP RACING UNDERWAY / 13 APR 15[/h]· Cross-industry committee meets to kick off detailed Review of British Jump Racing
· Objectives are to assess the health of the sport, identify challenges and deliver recommendations to safeguard future of the code and deliver growth
· Areas of focus range from race programme and field sizes to participation, breeding and prize money, with grass roots and middle tiers a particular focus

A comprehensive Review of British Jump Racing instigated by the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) has commenced today, with a committee consisting of cross-industry expertise meeting at the BHA’s offices to discuss the health and future of the code.

The objectives of the Review are: to assess the health of Jump racing; identify and examine the threats and challenges faced by Jump racing and create logical and deliverable solutions to these challenges; and to form a long-term strategy for the sport which outlines a path from which future growth and success can be delivered.

The Review is being chaired by former Managing Director of Cheltenham Racecourse Edward Gillespie.

Particular areas of focus for the Review will include the race programme, field sizes, participation, ownership, breeding, horse population, prize money, sales, racecourse attendances, media and betting trends. The code will be reviewed not only as a single entity but also from a regional viewpoint and the review will pay particular attention to the health of the sport at its grass-roots and middle tiers.

Ruth Quinn, Director of Racing for the BHA, said:
“Having just come off the back of a successful Grand National meeting, which was itself hot on the heels of another memorable Cheltenham Festival, some might be forgiven for thinking that Jump racing is in perfect health.
“Indeed we have a great deal to be positive and proud about. Attendances and betting turnover at Cheltenham and Aintree reached record levels and the quality of the Jump racing product at the top end remains first class, and continues to capture the imagination of the British Public.
“However, a look beneath the bonnet reveals challenges and concerns which need to be addressed in order to secure the long-term health of the sport. Without an industry functioning properly, from the grass-roots up, then the future security and success of the sport at all levels is at risk.
“This comprehensive, cross-industry Review is designed to, firstly, give us a clear picture about the exact state of health that the industry is in, and then implement evidence-based plans to safeguard the future of the sport and ensure that we are maximising all possible opportunities for growth.
“The committee itself has been assembled to ensure that we have expertise and deep knowledge of all parts of the Jump racing industry, as well as a geographical spread of delegates.”

Edward Gillespie, Chair of the Review committee, said:
“I very much look forward to working with the Project Group and to hearing opinions from across the sport. There is so much for Jump racing to be proud of and, inevitably, areas where it is not fulfilling its potential. The sport benefited substantially from a previous Review in 2004 and the BHA feels this is an appropriate time to identify areas of improvement for the next decade.”

Richard Wayman, Chief Executive of the Racehorse Owners Association, said:
“Although the major Festival meetings headed by Cheltenham and Aintree have become incredibly successful, the rate of decline in the number of owners and horses in recent years has been significantly steeper in Jump racing than on the Flat. This Review is therefore crucially important as we need to better understand the various factors that have contributed to Jumping faring relatively badly so that a range of measures can be developed that would create the conditions in which Jump racing can thrive at all levels.”

Stephen Atkin, Chief Executive of the Racecourse Association , said:
“The long-term success of Jump racing is as much dependent on the health of the grass roots as it is on the continued growth in stature of the major events, as evidently demonstrated by last week’s Crabbie’s Grand National Festival.
“We are delighted that this Review is going ahead with a broad remit and with such a well-qualified group. I can think of no one better than Edward Gillespie to head up this important project.”

The need for the Review arose out of the BHA’s ongoing consultation with the Racing industry, both as part of the process for developing the 2015 Fixture List and generally. The Review is expected to be completed, and recommendations to be published, before the end of the calendar year.

Jump Racing was reviewed previously in 2004. Out of this Review arose various recommendations including alterations to the Pattern and race programme, the introduction of the Grade 1 Lancashire Chase at Haydock in November (known as the Betfair Chase), introduction of the Order of Merit (which is now disbanded but for a period had a positive influence on the competitiveness of winter Pattern races), reviews of Prize Money levels, the introduction of Pony Racing and several more.

Notes to Editors
1. The Review committee was compiled by a combination of stakeholder engagement and then ensuring that all aspects of the industry are covered by the expertise of those in the group. The committee members are attending on account of their knowledge base rather than as representatives of their respective organisations.
The full committee is:
Edward Gillespie (Chair)
Nick Alexander
Simon Clare
Niall Hannity
Richard Landale
John Maxse
Bryan Mayoh
Donald McCain
Steve Mellish
Lee Mottershead
Seamus Mullins
Ian Renton
Claire Sheppard
Stephen Smith
Jamie Snowden
Justin Wadham
Stuart Middleton (BHA)
Richard Russell (BHA)
Phil Smith (BHA)
Ruth Quinn (BHA)

The following key stakeholders will be reported to at particular milestones:
National Trainers Federation
Racehorse Owners Association
Professional Jockeys Association
Racecourse Association
British Horseracing Authority
Horserace Betting Levy Board
The Horsemen’s Group
The BHA’s Jump Racing Committee
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Does anyone think the growing number of Irish trained winners at the Festival might have been a factor in calling for this review?

Indirectly it might be, given that many of them are owned by people that might have been expected to have their horses trained in the UK rather than Ireland. Wylie's horses are certainly missed up north.
 
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Possibly, but I doubt it would be the catalyst.

The reality is that Willie buys the best horses which is why he attracts the money. I'm not sure what the BHA could do about it.
 
Grey said:
Does anyone think the growing number of Irish trained winners at the Festival might have been a factor in calling for this review?

Indirectly it might be, given that many of them are owned by people that might have been expected to have their horses trained in the UK rather than Ireland. Wylie's horses are certainly missed up north.
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A factor for sure.

ireland has all the powerful owners too so the roll wouldn't appear to be ending soon
 
It's over a year since I worked in the industry but when I did I had regular meetings with the BHA for a couple of years and the steady decline in new owner registrations in the wake of the recession, plus how to balance the effects of de-regulation of the fixture list and racecourses having more autonomy against a shrinking horse population were standing items on the agenda. Add in stats like only 647 jumps-bred foals born in the UK in 2013 and I think they have more pressing concerns than the Irish having a couple of decent festivals.
 
I'm sure you're right, Cruella, I was being a bit flippant.

But why in your opinion is the BHA is more worried about NH than flat racing at the moment? Is it merely that they programme these reviews on a regular cycle and it is now NH's turn, or are they genuinely worried about trends in NH at the moment?
 
First 4/5 home in the County surely a concern in the UK vs. Ireland argument but hard to take one race as being indicative of a wider problem.

The Point-To-Point Authority have an online questionnaire for owners/trainers and seem to want to get more flat horses into it so possibly part of a much wider view from the BHA.

I'd be concerned that the net result of the review will be more racing at Cheltenham and higher prize money at the track - it's been suggested elsewhere that a month break in the Summer or two month plus as happened in the pre-Summer racing era will help but that will no doubt have it's opponents when it comes to discussing such a break.

One thing I would question is why they feel the need to report to The Horsemen's Group AND the National Trainers Federation/Racehorse Owners Association and Professional Jockeys Association given that the HG are an umbrella organisation set up to represent all three at such meetings.

Martin
 
With a committee of 20, plus the reporting lines thney need to observe, I wouldn't hold my breath about anything radical happening soon

I think the bottom line is that the sport is in trouble. Reduce it to what it actually involves and it simply ain't attractive outside of the major festivals. In fact its a god awful proposition.

Stand in a field at Huntingdon on a cold February watching 'action' that takes place at a distance of a mile away every 35 minutes whilst losing money in the process - any takers?
 
By that definition Warbler we should only have racing between March and October.

The issue with NH racing isn't how popular it is it's the number of horses involved and the owners in the sport - if Sheikh Fahad bought more NH horses ala Current Event and the one he has with Willie Mullins then like the flat it would cover up any possible cracks in the sport.

The morals/ethics of having one major owner pretty much bankrolling the sport, or in the case of some racing two or three major owners would be another matter entirely though and one that I doubt anyone will look at in the near future.

Martin
 
I dont think its anything to do with the Irish horses tbh. The quality of racing (especially in the north) is only going in one direction. Cards are just full of Cl4 and 5 races, and more claimers etc. Having a horse rated higher than 120 in the North is really a waste of time.
Price money is also dreadful and you could win 4 races in a year and still not get close to covering training costs.
The scheduling makes no sense either. It can;t be that difficult to split racing up in to regional areas and ensure those regions are catered for on most racing days. Every week you see meetings on within 50 miles of each other whilst nothing exists at other ends of the country.
As the sport invests in more "all weather" tracks all we will end up with is pi$$ poor racing in order to fill enough cards for bookies.
 
I thought the review was part of an already agreed schedule.In all successful businesses a review every few years is advisable. Racing this time of year is brilliant and more Summer racing rather than less would be great.
 
I thought the review was part of an already agreed schedule.In all successful businesses a review every few years is advisable. Racing this time of year is brilliant and more Summer racing rather than less would be great. You only have to be at Cheltenham today and tomorrow to see the popularity and the recent events there and Aintree were outstanding in every way. Add to that the Bowen trained runner beat the much vaunted Rich Ritchie horse in the bumper Sat and you can see all is not lost. Quite the opposite
 
I don't think anyone would argue that Cheltenham and Aintree are very successful meetings - I get the impression that the areas being looked at will be as Digger mentions the more run of the mill racing.

That said looking at the lower grade fare in the North there doesn't seem to be a shortage of runners. If the BHA want 8+ runners in every race then scheduling is probably the area to look at, if they just want competitive racing then ensuring that the trainers like the ground and the racecourses treat connections well is probably a good place to start while if it's to attract more racegoers then have a Student Day at every course and they'll flock through the gates.

Looking at the panel my cynical self thinks that the likely result will be more prize money at Cheltenham.

Martin
 
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I'd prefer to watch a good quality race (including novices), with four runners over a large field seller, or even an average handicap for that matter.

I think they're a little too obsessed with it. They're just pandering to the bookies who put little back in anyway. They talk about taking some of these races away which is crazy. That takes away from racing, it doesn't add to it.

I do agree with regards the overall quality of racing in the north though, and it's a significant factor in why the north is underrepresented with winners at the Festivals.
 
Cruella said:
It's over a year since I worked in the industry but when I did I had regular meetings with the BHA for a couple of years and the steady decline in new owner registrations in the wake of the recession, plus how to balance the effects of de-regulation of the fixture list and racecourses having more autonomy against a shrinking horse population were standing items on the agenda. Add in stats like only 647 jumps-bred foals born in the UK in 2013 and I think they have more pressing concerns than the Irish having a couple of decent festivals.
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Is that number based on returns/registerations? Taking it as read that any not registered would not number in the hundreds necessarily, that seems very low?
 
2 women out of a panel of 20 and no women trainers ! Mellish I suppose is treated as the everyman representative but why John Maxse is on it beats me .
 
This thread highlights something that has been raised many times before. There is no representation from the racegoer because there is no body that independently represents us. The Racegoers Association is just an extension of the BHA so can't be it.

Any of you guys have any thoughts on this? It's high time we were represented. Would anyone here be sufficiently interested in actively being involved in creating a voice and making something happen? If you don't want to declare an interest on here drop me a PM.
 
Ardross said:
2 women out of a panel of 20 and no women trainers ! Mellish I suppose is treated as the everyman representative but why John Maxse is on it beats me .
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Women will play a key part in producing the report-lots of tea and sandwiches to be made.
 
Maruco said:
This thread highlights something that has been raised many times before. There is no representation from the racegoer because there is no body that independently represents us. The Racegoers Association is just an extension of the BHA so can't be it.

Any of you guys have any thoughts on this? It's high time we were represented. Would anyone here be sufficiently interested in actively being involved in creating a voice and making something happen? If you don't want to declare an interest on here drop me a PM.
Click to expand...


https://www.change.org/p/britsih-ho...entative-of-the-betting-public-in-all-reviews
 
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