What is the most pressing problem that needs to be tackled in racing in a European context, and how would you solve it?
JD: I do not believe it is possible to finger a single European problem. The three main racing jurisdictions all have problems none of which are mutual.
i) France has outstandingly the best funded racing in Europe through its Pari Mutuel and the best (only?) breeding programme by zillions. But nobody goes to the track. Attendances are pitiful, resulting in a total lack of excitement and atmosphere.
ii) In England, horse racing was the second most attended sport after football (OK – soccer) in 2015 with nearly 6.0m racegoers. That is 10% of our population. But the gambling industry is legally enabled to return very little of its vast profits to racing. So we still run maiden races for £5000, or less.
iii) Ireland is only interested in jump racing. Some of the finest thoroughbreds anywhere trained by world-class trainers and ridden by internationally famous jockeys, regularly compete on The Curragh in front of meagre crowds. While just down the road at Punchestown it is standing room only to see the jumpers passing each other like trucks on the interstate.
Three distinct, individual problems without any solutions on the horizon that I can see.
How would you introduce a newcomer to the racing/breeding industry?
JD: I would take your newcomer to see the birth of a foal. Always a magical event, but then I would explain that this damp, fragile, wobbly newborn animal will, in less than two years, be weighing 800 lbs and galloping at 45 mph. If they are not fascinated by this stage I will not bother with them any more.
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