Robin Oakley

Hot competition

Robin Oakley surveys The Turf

issue 15 May 2010

It was to have been Ascot on Saturday. But alternative political duties for CNN intervened. ‘OK,’ said the little green man descending from his flying saucer in Parliament Square, ‘I appreciate that “Take me to your Leader” won’t do right now. But when can you take me to your Leader?’

I had been musing at the time on the bleak picture ahead. Prize money down. Breeders’ prizes cut by 20 per cent. Lower appearance money for horses running at Sunday fixtures. Even funds for regulation and dope testing being trimmed. And that’s nothing to do with the regimen of the new Chancellor of the Exchequer, just the cuts imposed by the Levy Board, the fount of racing’s finances, for 2010.

Fortunately, in racing at least, there is a counter-case to cheer us up. ‘Racing For Change’ keeps looking for a ‘narrative’ to boost the sport. This year one has fallen into its hands.

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