Following yesterday's blog posting about Wednesday's debacle at Worcester race course, I received this today from a race-goer and horse watcher:
"Management @ Worcester racecourse know they’ve had a ruddy close shave – if the damn beast hadn’t come round, all hell would have broken loose.
No refunds offered to spectators (but that’s within normal rules); I’ve seen a comment that spectators offered free admission to next meet (which again is regular practice). Chances are few will take up the offer.
What are Worcester’s legal obligations to owners (who, in the end, foots the bills)?
This episode brought to mind a Towcester meet a couple of years ago Jan/Feb time. Stiffest course in the country, heavy ground/waterlogged down the back straight. Touch and go whether to race. Saw couple of officials, desperate to go ahead (it’s all about money) but clearly worried horses wouldn’t get the longer trips on the going. Meet went ahead, horses finish exhausted (slow motion finishes at Towcester on soft ground) but no obvious problems.
An anomaly in the course design at Towcester means horses have to race past the paddock entrance/exit to the finishing post; seen several tired beasts jink at the entrance and try to duck out – can catch the jocks unaware – McCoy has been vocal in asking for re-design."
Simple question: how serious, if at all, are the event management, track management, governance, finance and legal challenges facing British horse racing, and is the sport equipped to respond appropriately, effectively, proactively and strategically?
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