Indaba on horseracing’s future
THE concerns and views of stakeholders and industry professionals in horseracing have been raised during an indaba hosted by Phumelela Gaming and Leisure (PGL) at Turffontein racecourse.
Among the 28 people attending the indaba were PGL CEO Rian du Plessis, Racing Association CEO Larry Wainstein, Phumelela Executive Directors, Gold Circle management team, owners, trainers, breeders, exporters, media and representatives of the National Horseracing Authority.
Some delegates were asked to make presentations based on their fields of expertise and the message that quickly became clear was there is a massive role for horseracing going forward.
All comments were positive and none more so than from Tellytrack CEO Rob Scott.
“We know we have made mistakes and have faults, but that is why we are all here, to table the concerns and to move forward for the better of the sport,” he said.
Scott added that since taking over the PGL Media and Marketing portfolio some elements have unavoidably not progressed as quickly as hoped, but these are being dealt with one by one.
Questionnaires were distributed, completed and analysed prior to the Indaba and the findings formed the foundation of the discussion on the day.
Objectives set included: agree priorities to be addressed, develop real action plans for urgent issues and opportunities, agree the way forward with clear roles and responsibilities, analyse issues raised and separate real issues from myth and make the sport aspirational again.
Key focus areas were identified and delegates were split into six strategic work streams:
* Racing operations and the business model * Image and reputation * Betting on racing * Transformation and Government relations and racing * Racing integrity * Ownership Sub-committees were set up in each work stream and action plans developed.
The most important outcome was a comprehensive communication strategy to enhance horseracing’s image.
A date for a follow-up meeting has not been set, but horseracing will take a giant stride forward if all the action plans are implemented.