A Gypsy's warning

A troubling headline in Saturday's Daily Telegraph:

www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector...e-final-furlong.html

Ladbrokes boss, Richard Quinn is quoted in the article; “If turnover trends do not improve and if the current cost structures are maintained for horse betting in particular, it may rapidly reach the point where it becomes unsustainable as a product.”

This in a country with two racing channels as well as regular coverage on a mainstream TV channel.

Whither horse racing in South Africa?

Turnover has was from 90% horse racing in the UK to under %30 in 20 years

Betting shops are empty during the day, only busy at night before a big match and the weekend.

Same will happen in SA eventually

Bookies over here are already moving towards sports and numbers

Having said that , the "race day" experience is still buzzing on big race days and weekends / holidays, but the tracks need the busy days to pay prizemoney

Report a month ago that 40% of the medium/small breeders in Britain/Ireland have gone out of business as the cost return is no good.
Hence small fields and it will get worse.
Sounds familiar!

Bob Brogan wrote: Having said that , the "race day" experience is still buzzing on big race days and weekends / holidays, but the tracks need the busy days to pay prizemoney

Bob, on Saturday Cartmel was packed to the rafters with people of all age groups for an average off season jumps meet. It was a sight to behold.

Well Karis Teetan interview in Sporting Post, said it all which lacks here in South Africa.

What is the press like?

Every single morning, no matter if it’s cold, raining or storming, the press are there every morning looking at the horses, talking to everyone, trying to get information. You can’t believe it. No matter what level of race, they do everything they can to help the punter. They don’t ask for tips or whether you think your horse can win – they look how the horse is working, ask the trainer and jockey if they’re happy with the work. They get an opinion on each piece of work for every horse and everything is made public. The punter gets so much information from the club and everyone involved. As a jockey I read everything, then you also get a little bit of news on your competition! It’s fantastic team work that goes in there and it helps everyone in racing.

Bob Brogan wrote: Having said that , the "race day" experience is still buzzing on big race days and weekends / holidays, but the tracks need the busy days to pay prizemoney

This is exactly my concern with the "its a rush" campaign .It's aimed at lifestyle and getting people to the course,but this post/thread suggests that attendances cannot sustain the industry, its the betting...........should we not be changing the focus?.........maybe to:who cares if they come racing, as long as they bet on it!!

rob faux wrote:

Bob Brogan wrote: Having said that , the "race day" experience is still buzzing on big race days and weekends / holidays, but the tracks need the busy days to pay prizemoney

This is exactly my concern with the "its a rush" campaign .It's aimed at lifestyle and getting people to the course,but this post/thread suggests that attendances cannot sustain the industry, its the betting...........should we not be changing the focus?.........maybe to:who cares if they come racing, as long as they bet on it!!

Maybe they have realised this,when me and dave went to Musselburgh on New years day it was £20 for the cheap seats,£4 for a bacon roll x 18 for Rand and it was chocablock