PAGES OF FANTASTIC
THE “soulless experience” for owners must change – and quickly – to prevent a mass exodus from the sport, Gay Kelleway warned yesterday.
Pubs and restaurants, closed during the coronavirus lockdown, reopened for business in Britain on July 4 – the same day that owners were allowed to attend fixtures held behind closed doors.
But, although betting shops had welcomed punters back on June 15, owners are currently unable to drink, eat or bet.
“Something needs to be done – it’s a soulless experience for owners at the moment – or they will be gone,” said the Newmarket trainer. Look what’s happening in the wider world – we need the bars to open, we need the restaurants to open, and we also need the Tote, which has always been operated behind glass screens.
Bosses at Glorious Goodwood, which begins on July 28, hope to host a crowd of up to 5,000 people on one of the meeting’s five days, subject to government approval.
But Kelleway, who last month was elected to the board of the Racehorse Owners Association, added: “That’s too little, and too late. I’ve got working-class and retired owners – many in syndicates, so the current limit on two per horse means most can’t get into the races.
“They’ve already had to put up with a dip in prize money and owners tell me – and it’s not just me, but other trainers as well – that they won’t be
■ buying horses in the autumn if something doesn’t change. If things don’t change, we’ll be left with a small group of super-rich owners.
“Racing has respected the lockdown – they have been very cautious and observed the protocols – and that should be rewarded.”
■ PORTRUSH, a Frankel half-sister to Enable, got off the mark at the second attempt at Yarmouth yesterday.