Racing For Change Positive Initiative

(Busy: Doncaster Racecourse during free entry week)

Successful Free Racing


Statistics have been released by Racing For Change showing the results of the free racing week. The response appears positive with some 40,000 new spectators going racing. Interestingly however, a list compiled showing the most enjoyable parts of the experience of the races featured 'a fun day out' at the top. This was followed by 'atmosphere' and in third place 'winning' with the actual watching of the races and the horses featuring lower down in list.

Of course another 40,000 spectators at the races during the free week is excellent news and is evidence that the initiatives set by Racing For Change and the British Horse Racing Authority are achieving what they have set out to, and that is to bring racing to newer audience and attract more visitors to this beautiful pastime. Maybe not enough focus is being placed on the actual preparations, the parade ring before a race and the build up to a race. This is evident in the list mentioned above. With 'winning' notching a higher ranking in the list than actually watching the horses run it may suggest people who 'win' at the races are the people more likely to return. That states the obvious of course, who would not return to a place where they have a great day out and take home more money than they left with? But as this is not always the case it is vital in attracting spectators whose focus is not 100 per cent on the betting side of the sport but instead more on the actual event. This is why clear championships should be outlined, clearer seasons marked and adverts featuring jockeys battling it out for the honours should be shown.

Following the questioning of spectators during the free racing week another list was also made suggesting improvements which provides evidence that more information is required in order to attract new viewers. With 57 per cent of people suggesting there was no improvement needed and the next on the list being the amendment to the over pricing of drinks it is clear that this can not be used as informative research on suggested improvements at race courses. The suggestion of more seats and viewing areas is one which could be taken on board by racecourses around the country with easy access to parade rings available. Sometimes by having a cheap area without access to the parade ring such as Uttoxeter as and denying people who can not afford to upgrade to more expensive enclosures this could result in lack of interest.

Ascot racecourse managed to conduct their own survey during the free week and a discovery that many of the spectators came as couples and lived within an hours drive of the course. These are the people who racing should target first, people who live in the immediate and surrounding areas who may spread the word to wider audiences. Maybe another initiative by Racing For Change could be the discount of rail tickets when shown alongside a ticket for the races making travel to course cheaper and more attractive.

Whatever the next incentive is it is sure to attract people, the critics of Racing For Change should look at the publication of the statistics which suggest all is positive in the bid to promote racing and bring it to a new audience.

Flat Jockey's Championship

(Hanagan: This year's Champion Jockey?)

Hanagan fights back gallantly while Ryan Moore goes four winners clear at the top of the jockey's championship

Warrington born Paul Hanagan this week stepped aside made way for Ryan Moore at the head of the Jockey's Championship table. A double at York on Thursday made sure Ryan did not build too much of a lead while a winner aboard Bachelor Knight who returned 5/4 favourite at Ripon yesterday afternoon ensured the Hanagan/Fahey partnership was not finished yet.


When asked how realistic the dream of becoming champion jockey this year was Hanagan said "I don't have any targets really, I just have to take every day as it comes. I've had seasonal aims before but last time I did that I broke my collarbone so you never know what will happen".

Ryan Moore has taken a four winner's lead with 40 for the season over second placed Paul Hanagan on 36 before today's racing with Richard Hughes a closing third on 34. Frankie Dettori (23 winners) and Keiron Fallon (24 winners) have yet to show how great their respective challenges will be this year with ex champion Jamie Spencer (24 winners) also with a chance.


Hanagan goes to Wolverhampton this afternoon and it looks like Jigajig in the Over 1000 Free Bets at Big Tips.co.uk Handicap at 3:40 trained by Kevin Ryan offers the best chance of adding to his tally for the season while Richard Hughes heads to Windsor for the evening meeting where a potential short priced double with Cape To Rio in the Weatherbys Bank Conditions Stakes at 6:40 and Silver Wind in the Sportingbet.com Claiming Stakes at 7:10 looking like the two rides enabling Hughes to draw level on total winners with Hanagan.

(Partners: Paul Hanagan and Richard Fahey are a major threat this season)

(Kelleway: An ambassador for Racing For Change)

"Come Racing, Have fun, that's what racing is all about!"


Today's opening race at York's Dante meeting was won by Primo Lady returning at an uneasy 7/1 after drifting from 9/2 in the markets before the off. Trainer Gay Kelleway was ecstatic after the win "We're all going for a few drink now" she said after being mobbed by the syndicate of male owners. Purchased for a mere £5,000 Primo Lady is the pinnacle of what participant race going is all about. Kelleway said "Come racing, buy a cheap horse, have fun, that's what racing is all about!". Clearly Gay is an ambassador for the sport with her comments aimed towards potential racing enthusiasts. After Primo Lady's victory she could not have been more helpful in pushing the sport. This is what is needed from everyone.


Talking on Wednesday with Paul Hanagan he said all the jockeys are pleased with the initiatives put in place by Racing For Change. They all want to help and so do the backroom staff. It is a shame that it is taking so long to attract these new crowds. Maybe it is the lack of advertising, today before the channel four racing programme started it was introduced by the same person who introduces Big Brother, this is who racing needs to attract the younger crowds. But it needs to be advertised during Hollyoaks on a Sunday morning, or during the Simpson's, but of course this means paying the fee's of prime time advertising.

York published an interview in Wednesday's racecard where it was suggested he was not as much of a celebrity as Frankie Dettori or Keiron Fallon, but by leading the jockey's championship at moment he soon could be. It may be useful for racing to look towards the jockeys in a bid to push the sport, there could be more brief interviews before and after racing, a look into the weighing room, the exitement in the parade ring before a race and a clear tussle for the title of champion jockey advertised all season.


t is well known that human interest stories attract more interest, people are curious about competition, like the race for the premiership last weekend, or the drivers championship in Formula One and last week even the race to Number 10 Downing Street.

General Election

(Its close: Who will take control of Great Britain?)

Photo Finish in 'First Past The Post' election!

This week's election resulted in a hung parliament, after all the bickering during live debates, all the propaganda, all the leaflets and the urging of voters to make their choice the whole affair it appears was a sham. The growth in popularity of Nick Clegg and his Liberal option has inevitably led to the Conservatives gaining seats. Clearly there is no winner "It is obvious that Labour have failed to win" said David Cameron. Yet clearly it is also obvious that this country does not want a Conservative government. Unfortunately by voting for Nick Clegg the result has been an inevitable lack of votes for Labour candidates, this is the reason for the growth of Conservative seats, not the population's attempts to jump on the 'vote for change' bandwagon. More to the point during Thursday's shambolic election was the practiced lack of democratic rights. "It is our right to vote, this is like third world country voting" were the opinions of many unfortunate voters across the county who were not allowed their vote. But what difference would this have made? By all accounts the number of people denied a vote was not reflected in the results as making a difference. However, what is blatantly obvious is the urgent need for electoral reform from this ancient system.


Chester has been in the spotlight this week, a seat much coveted by Labour, Tory and Liberal candidates was the setting for political correspondents reporting on the outcome of the polls. However there is still the small matter of Chester's May meeting to cover. Would it not have been better if everyone just focused on the racing instead? It is becoming clear to me that Nick Clegg will join either party if it means a little more influence might be pushed his way when it comes to governing the country, does this mean that his policies reflect the will of Tory and Labour at the same time? If this is the case then why is everyone not voting for a little bit of everything and putting the Liberal's in power? Clearly the nation does not have the vote, Nick Clegg however, does. What then are we all concerned with? The taxes will still rise, employment will still be high, house prices will still be unreachable, the country will still be skint regardless of who holds the majority in commons.


As the difference between the parties is no longer as clear cut maybe the only fair way of deciding the outcome is through a race. We could have given the Chester Cup to the Tories and then held a stewards enquiry over the result. One thing is for certain, it is an interesting photo finish as to who takes control.

Snooker in trouble

(Cue action: Higgins suspended over allegations of bribery)

Higgins snookered after allegation of bungs bring sport of all types into disrepute


Allegations this weekend about ex world champion of snooker John Higgins possibly fixing matches and recieving bungs for losing frames have thrown the sport of snooker into disrespect. The allegations will have disastrous effects on the game unfortunately and there will be probes into the entire world championship tournament under suspicion that fixing is at large.


This nasty side of sport is reflected in horse racing too, many people feel that aspects of racing are fixed. This is due to problems and issues way in the past. Unfortunately the sport of horse racing has always held this underlying trait, the prospect that we are cheated by underhand goings on, we are conned by people who are involved in the sport and we are misled by people who cannot help themselves but be greedy.


Cheating is a disgusting problem, it is still unproven whether John Higgins had anything to do with the allegations but immediate suspension from playing does not bode well for Higgins supporters. Horse racing of course has had its own conspiracies, Keiron Fallon immediately springs to mind, his illustrious career has on more than a few occasions been brought forefront in the media spotlight, and not always for good reasons. Again, there is nothing proven over Fallon's alleged fixing of races but unfortunately the sport is brought down a notch as in the case of snooker this week.


Of course this has happened in football, cricket, golf, everything, you name it. Where there is large amounts of money involved undoubtedly there will be corruption at some sort of level, or at least attempts to corrupt.


The terrible consequence this week for snooker is that people who may have been attracted through the efforts of players, promoters, media and the hard work and effort put in in the last few years in attempt to popularise snooker more and bring it to the wider audiences may have been in vain in one brief, ugly moment. This is a danger that faces the horse racing industry. Hopefully lessons will be learned, but the right ones.


On a lighter note we mustn't forget what all this is for, well done to the 'thunder from down under' Neil Robertson who last night celebrated his world championship victory over Graeme Dott at the Crucible

(Racing will be cast into same light as snooker of we are not careful)

Racing For Change Free Entry Week Doncaster 30.4.10

(Smile for the Camera: In the parade ring for race three at Doncaster)

Doncaster Racing For Change


The free entry to Doncaster Racecourse yesterday was met with mixed feelings. Locals feel that Racing For Change are changing this sport...of course they are. But Racing For Change are struggling to change the right things. Attracting more people to the races is one thing, but attracting them to the racing once they are there is something else.


Yesterday at Doncaster there were people with binoculars and Racing Post's, people with high heels and glasses of champagne, and people with pushchairs and picnics. It was good to see that all kinds of people had been allowed into the grandstands and everyone was welcome. But once again, like Haydock less than a week ago, there were difficulties in attracting people to the saddling up area and the parade ring. In all fairness the weather in Yorkshire did not help matters, an overcast sky filling the area with drizzle could excuse some people from venturing too far from the shelter of the grandstands. However, as I wandered into the refreshments area underneath the stands I was shocked to discover just how many people were there. It reminded me of the Manchester Evening News arena before a sell out event. Everyone standing around with plastic cups filled with pink wine or Stella and dresses only suitable for marital occasions and the county enclosure as far as the eye could see. Yes, people are going to the races, but the racing is minor entertainment. The toilets were reminiscent of a motorway service station after the V-Festival, or half time at a football match. The way out was through a damp cloud of cigarette smoke and cast aside plastic plates with half eaten meals on them.


It is true, Racing For Change took the initiative and allowed free entry to the racecourse, unfortunaltely it is also true that with it not much changed. More emphasis on actual horse racing is required, people need to be informed and this sport needs to be sold as an exciting, wonderful attraction. The possibilities of creating proper seasons and climaxes of these seasons should be discussed. Maybe a one off horse racing tournament is required, someone said this week that not enough emphasis was placed on the champion jockey and champion trainers table. This could be marketed in a similar way that the Formula One Racing is. Advertisements on who leads the table and who are the challengers could be shown on television to generate intrigue from potential viewers.



I am sure this is what Racing For Change is attempting and sure, it will take a long time to achieve it. It remains to be seen whether or not the free racing week has had any lasting effect, but it can only be a positive sign that improvements are at hand.

(Racing...for a change: The thrill of the chase at Doncaster)