Potential Solutions
Funding and Governance issues have been escalating for decades. Talk and tinkering must be replaced by radical action
The ultimate purpose of the IOG is to align owners on change required and pressure the decision-makers to implement that change. The following statements are my personal opinions only and are intended to stimulate reaction.
Links to analysis and recommendations from other respected sources are also included.
Complex decision-making processes and the vested interests of the decision-makers have severely restricted change. Radical simplification needs to be confronted.
The sport is the victim of the convergence of three industries - gambling + event management / property + horse racing. The first layer of radical simplification is to unravel this convergence and get to a position where the sport has a much greater control over its own future.
Horse race gambling should be owned by the sport. Similar to the National Lottery it could be managed by one or other of the global betting companies as a licensee.
Racing should work with Government on this rather than lobbying on behalf of the global gambling companies and interacting with Government as an unwilling player in incrementing the levy.
A BHA Board with truly independent decision-making may be a route to achieve such simplification
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There is a plethora of bodies administering operations in the sport, many with highly paid leaders who also have undue influence in financial matters. The second layer of radical simplification is a rationalisation of these bodies and leadership.
Change the constitution of the BHA to be crystal clear that the commercial management of the sport should protect the interests of the key revenue generators - owners and racecourses.
Separate the operational management including all the progressive work done on welfare, regulation and administration.
Consolidate trainer, stable staff, jockey, breeder and other representatives as trade bodies or suppliers to the core product funded by owners and racecourses (as in any other industry).
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Better use of existing funding in the sport is critical before new funds are introduced. Often with highly paid CEOs and attendant boards, the number of margins taken by multiple layers of players that can be found in any facet of horse racing. The third layer of radical simplification is:
Remove the margin taken by global betting companies on horse race gambling.
BHA regulation to ensure greater transparency on key leadership remuneration and margins taken through the supply chains.
Reduce the fixture list. There is simply too much racing, diluting prize money per race.
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