Prizemoney and Racecourses

Dear Owner,

I trust you are keeping safe and well.

Over the past few weeks a number of owners have been in touch with us regarding minimum values, the total prize fund for races run and the position of racecourses and their contribution to prize money. And rightly so; Owners contribute over £650m a year to this industry.

You will be aware from this morning’s news that the Horsemen’s Group have written to the Racecourse Association requesting further information as to why contributions to prize money continue to be suspended with racing resumed and, specifically, how that collective action by racecourses was determined.

We are disappointed that many racecourses have decided not to contribute to prize money pots, ignoring the vast contribution of owners, trainers, jockeys, and racing staff to the sport of racing. We should be building a better industry that fairly shares its income for the benefit of all its participants.

The continued suspension of contributions to prize money at meetings being held - when broadcast rights money, sponsorship and levy yield continues for racecourses - suggests that the racecourses have an ability to contribute, and to avoid such contribution is wrong.

Furthermore, the failure of racecourses to contribute has left the Horserace Betting Levy Board to provide the much-needed prize money contributions, diverting levy funds from other necessary projects.

As Horsemen, we have been subjected to opaque broadcasting rights deals that simply do not deliver for the people that create this sport.

There is a clear unfairness at the heart of this sport: an inequitable and opaque distribution of industry income to the sport’s participants.

The ROA will continue to work with the Horsemen’s Group and represent the interests of its Owners, who give so much to this sport.

Yours Sincerely,
 
Charlie Liverton
Chief Executive