Thursday, April 26, 2001

BEST PRICES FOR SANDOWN TOMORROW

INCREASED LEVY BOARD FUNDING FOR DIVIDED RACES AND APPEARANCE MONEY

Accepting the recommendations of the British Horseracing Board, funding for divided races in the year commencing April 1, 2001, will be increased to £1.16 million compared to £650,000 in 2000/01.

The Levy Board, which took over responsibility from owners for the funding of divided races in April, 2000, decided to provide the additional funds in expectation of a steep increase in divisions this year, following the high level of fixture abandonments due to waterlogging and the foot and mouth epidemic.

The additional finance for divided races, which tend to generate good levels of betting turnover and levy income, will enable them all to be run at their minimum values, rather than at a reduced value as at present.

Once again accepting the recommendations of the BHB, funding for the Appearance Money Scheme in the year commencing April 1, 2001, will be increased to some £3.1 million from £2.1 million in 2000/01.

The Scheme is designed to support Sunday racing, which costs owners more to have runners, and to improve field sizes in race types and race programmes with a record of below-average fields.

Consultations will be held between the Levy Board and the BHB with a view to agreeing the details of the 2001/02 Scheme, which will be designed to support Flat and National Hunt racing on a balanced basis. If any abuses come to light, the BHB has undertaken to eliminate them.

The Levy Board's Fixture Criteria is the pattern of fixtures for which it will provide financial support. The Levy Board will fund a total of 1,209 fixtures in 2002 compared to 1,204 in 2001.

Five additional afternoon fixtures in the autumn will be funded in order to support the needs of the horse population.

Four daily all weather fixtures between Christmas and the New Year will also be funded, starting in 2001, as an insurance policy against bad weather during this busy holiday period.

The afternoon and evening criteria will remain unchanged and, again, 10 replacement NH fixtures will be scheduled in advance.

The number of Sunday racedays will remain unchanged at 20, compared to the 23 proposed by the BHB. Three blank Sundays will be accommodated to break up the 104-day period of racing for the benefit of stable staff.

Robert Hughes, the Levy Board Chairman, commented: ""We hope that our decision to provide substantially increased funding this year for divided races and appearance money will give some welcome relief for connections of racehorses after this terrible run of abandonments."

BHB RESPONDS TO LEVY BOARD STRATEGY REVIEW

"We are however very disappointed that the Levy Board, in rejecting the request for funding the limited expansion of Sunday racing recommended, after exhaustive study, by the representative Sunday Racing Review Group, has restricted the opportunity to further enhance Racing's customer base. This, together with the need to maximise exposure of the racing product, is crucial to the industry's future development.

"The funding restrictions, including rejection of the BHB proposal for a limited number of National Hunt-only Sundays in the summer, will also add to the difficulties of securing the right balance between providing attractive Sunday opportunities for racecourses and addressing effectively the stable staffing concerns further highlighted in the Review Group's Report."

ROA ATTACKS GG-MEDIA DEAL

"It therefore strongly urges the racecourses not to enter into agreement with GG-Media at all. Any decision on whether to accept the Go Racing offer should be deferred until the BHB have reached their conclusion as to whether the contract is in the best interests of the whole racing industry."

ROA TO ADOPT NEW PRESIDENT AND VICE-PRESIDENT AT AGM

Sir Eric Parker, who will have completed a three-year term as President in July, said: "Being President of the ROA has been a fascinating experience. My tenure has coincided with the start of a period of unprecedented change for the racing industry and, although we have made significant progress in getting the owner's case across, there is still much to be done. I look forward to continuing to serve on the BHB and the Levy Board. I also expect to play a central role in helping to organise the future of the Tote."

The President-elect Jim Furlong said: "I am delighted that the ROA Council have supported my appointment and I will do everything possible to ensure that the momentum built up during the last few years by Sir Eric Parker is maintained. It is sometimes forgotten that owners spend nearly £200 million supporting the racing industry and it will be increasingly important that owners' views are taken into account by those involved in racing's administration. The ROA is fortunate to have Sir Eric Parker (BHB Board), Chris Deuters (Vice President), Stephen Crown (Treasurer) and Michael Harris (Chief Executive) representing their interests and together we will make a strong team."

The Vice-President-elect Chris Deuters said: "There is no doubt that the profile and standing of the ROA has increased in line with the demands put on it by the huge changes taking place in the racing industry. I will do everything possible to ensure that this momentum is maintained. As owners pay the lion's share of keeping the racing show on the road, it is only right that they should have an increasing say in how the industry is run."

THE RACEHORSE OWNERS ASSOCIATION LAUNCH NEW RACING PARTNERSHIPS

The man behind the enterprise - the ROA's first into a co-ownership scheme - is Council member Chris Brasher, who will head-up one of the quartet of partnerships.

He said: "Nothing in sport compares to the thrill of your horse winning. But it's an expensive pleasure - and now the ROA is at the forefront of providing the possibility of that excitement at a much-reduced price.

"This is a venture that the ROA will build on and for which it will become renowned."

The other three ROA Council members involved are Ron Huggins, Stephen Crown and Peter Deal, all successful and knowledgeable owners.

There will be two partnerships for the Flat and two for the jumps. Twenty people can join each partnership which is made up of two horses.

Each share in the partnerships costs an initial £3,000, plus £175 a month to cover training fees, vets' costs and other routine bills.

The Partnerships are as follows:

The ROA Eclipse Partnership, led by Ron Huggins. These horses will be trained by Mark Johnston.

The ROA Ribot Partnership, led by Stephen Crown. These horses will be trained by John Gosden.

The ROA Dawn Run Partnership, led by Chris Brasher. These horses will be trained by Nicky Henderson.

The ROA Arkle Partnership, led by Peter Deal. These horses will be trained by Martin Pipe and Venetia Williams.

The Flat horses will be bought as yearlings this autumn with a view to running next year, while the National Hunt horses will be purchased to run towards the end of this year.

The plan is for each partnership to last for two racing seasons after which the horses will be sold. Prize money will be shared equally. Each Partnership will be registered for VAT and all horses will be sponsored by the ROA.

All eight horses will run in the ROA Racing Partnerships colours of yellow jacket with spots on the sleeves and a yellow cap.

SEVEN GO IN TOTE GOLD TROPHY - ELEVEN FOR BONUSPRINT DISTANCE HURDLE

They are:

1) 2331R4 Bellator Venetia Williams 8-11-10 Norman Williamson
2) 16-4211 Eau De Cologne Lydia Richards 9-11-10 Jimmy McCarthy
3) 111121 First Gold Francois Doumen FR 8-11-10 Thierry Douman
4) 2-U211U Frantic Tan Nigel Twiston-Davies 9-11-10 Carl Llewellyn
5) 60P/24B General Wolfe Venetia Williams 12-11-10
6) 222P-10 Go Ballistic Richard Phillips 12-11-10 Richard Johnson
7) 1216-11 Marlborough Nicky Henderson 9-11-10 Mick Fitzgerald

Meanwhile, the substitute for the Bonusprint Stayers' Hurdle - the £65,000 Grade One Bonusprint Distance Championship Hurdle - has attracted 11 declarations:

1) 1/313-32 Anzum Richard Phillips 10-11-10 Warren Marston
2) 1-4111F Bacchanal Nicky Henderson 7-11-10 Mick Fitzgerald
3) 221111 Baracouda Francois Doumen FR 6-11-10 Thierry Doumen
4) 3-11221 Behrajan Henry Daly 6-11-10 Richard Johnson
5) 14PU61 Carlovent Martin Pipe 6-11-10
6) 126-233 It's Wallace Sheena West 8-11-10 Mattie Batchelor
7) 12-0013 Merry Masquerade Mary Reveley 10-11-10 Andrew Thornton
8) 56-121F Rodock Martin Pipe 7-11-10 Tony McCoy
9) 454122 Springfield Scally Steve Gollings 8-11-10 Seamus Durack
10) 221612 Sudden Shock Jonjo O'Neill 6-11-10 Norman Williamson
11) 011-423 Celtic Native Philip Hobbs 6-11-05 Carl Llewellyn

RECORD PRIZE MONEY SETS THE SCENE FOR ENJOYABLE TIMES AT SALISBURY

There are 14 days of racing at Salisbury this year, including weekday, weekend and evening fixtures. This means there is something on offer for everyone - new and existing racegoers, families and corporate clients alike. Racing is a great outing for all the family and accompanied children aged under 16 gain FREE admission to all enclosures on all racedays.

Two Sunday fixtures are highlights - the first one on May 6 is well established and opens Salisbury's 2001 season with plenty of family entertainment, while the second one takes place on June 17, the popular Armed Forces raceday, which has side shows, military displays and music along with many attractions for children.

Salisbury's popular French-themed night is staged again and will be known as the French Evening, a change from the original name. It happens this year on Friday, July 6. The second evening fixture is on Friday, July 27, and, like the French Evening, is the perfect way to start the weekend. A giant screen opposite the stands will racegoers view the action at 11 of Salisbury's fixtures.

Jeremy Martin is the new Clerk of the Course and General Manager at Salisbury Racecourse. Jeremy, 29, was previously Clerk of the Course at Brighton for three years and he has taken over from Ian Renton who took up the appointment of Racing Director at Arena Leisure after 13 years service at Salisbury.

During the close season £70,000 has been spent at Salisbury Racecourse on improvements to the course irrigation system and domestic water supply.

Jeremy Martin commented: "The expenditure and work on the course irrigation system is of paramount importance as we strive to ensure the best possible ground is produced for race meetings. We want both "horse" quality and quantity in our races, and sensible watering, when required, should assist that."

"Salisbury Racecourse is proud to be able to offer record prize money once again in 2001."

For full fixture details - the final fixture of the year is on October 3 - and other information about Salisbury Racecourse, a friendly and welcoming venue with excellent catering, go to the Internet Site - www.salisburyracecourse.co.uk

LOTS ON OFFER AT SALISBURY'S FIRST SUNDAY FIXTURE WHICH OPENS SEASON

There is £57,500 in added prize money on offer throughout the afternoon of May 6 - a significant increase on last year's total of £52,750.

There are now four races worth at least £10,000 and the six-race programme gets under way at 2.20pm, with the WOODFORD MAIDEN STAKES over six furlongs for three-year-olds.

The feature race of the day is the £15,000-added WILTON RATED STAKES (4.05pm), a 0-100 handicap for three-year-olds over six furlongs. Some useful performers have landed this event including Farhanna in 1996, who went on to win two Listed races, and Cubism in 1999, who also progressed to success in Listed company.

Last year's victor, the Toby Balding-trained Duke Of Modena, won two other races during 2000, including the Tote Trifecta Handicap at the Ascot Festival.

Other valuable events on the card include the £12,500-added WEATHERBYS ALLEN HANDICAP (3.30pm), a 0-100 ten-furlong handicap for three-year-olds, which was won by John Dunlop's Water Jump last season. The prize money for this excellent contest has increased significantly with an extra £3,000 offered in 2001.

The two £10,000-added events are the AUTECNIQUE FILLIES' CONDITIONS STAKES (2.55pm) over five furlongs for two-year-old fillies and the AXMINSTER HANDICAP (5.10pm), a competitive 14-furlong handicap which brings the day's action to a close. Nerys Dutfield's Secret Index captured the former race last year before going on to finish a good fifth in the Queen Mary Stakes at Royal Ascot while David Elsworth's Afterjacko took the 17-runner Axminster Handicap.

There will be musical entertainment throughout the afternoon courtesy of the Jubilee Jazz Band and Hyde Band. Younger racegoers are well catered for with a wide variety of FREE children's entertainments, while everyone will be able to enjoy the craft centre, Essex dog display and the eagle and vulture show. A giant screen opposite the stands will help viewing of the day's action and allow the fillies' classic, the Sagitta 1000 Guineas, to be seen from Newmarket.

Jeremy Martin, Clerk of the Course and General Manager at Salisbury, said: "All of us at Salisbury are looking forward to our opening meeting on Sunday, May 6, which is now firmly established as a great day out for all the family and we look forward to welcoming a good crowd again."

Admission prices on Sunday, May 6, are Members Enclosure £15, Tattersalls Enclosure £10 and Course Enclosure £5. Accompanied children under 16 are admitted FREE and car parking is FREE. The gates open at 11am and early arrival is advised.

For old articles (from 1st March 2000) go to the Newslink Archive

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