Successful Industry Ownership Day at Nottingham

The ROA’s seventh Industry Ownership Day was held at Nottingham on October 2.

There was some doubt about racing going ahead as significant rainfall had prompted an early morning inspection, but there was nothing to fear and racing went ahead under blue skies and autumn sunshine.  The day featured a regional meeting attended by over 60 members.  This was the tenth regional meeting of this year, following events at Fakenham, Sedgefield, Chepstow, Pontefract, Newton Abbot, Haydock, Musselburgh, Ripon and Perth.

ROA chief executive Charlie Liverton was not able to lead the meeting as he was required to attend a a BHA committee meeting.  In his stead, Ross Hamilton, head of public affairs at the British Horseracing Authority gave members an update fresh from the Conservative party conference at Manchester. 

He underlined the contribution made by owners and the importance of racing within rural communities in terms of the economy and employment.  He noted this was recognised and the industry had made efforts to establish links in Westminster.  This had been demonstrated through two Thrill of Ownership dinners held in Aintree and in Westminster earlier in the year.

The ROA team updated members on membership matters, including enhancements to the website, the Gold Standard award selection process, upcoming events and free admission schemes.  

Questions were raised around future funding mechanisms, race planning opportunities for lower rated horses and availability of European veterinary expertise in the wake of Brexit.

Mick Fitzgerald hosted the event and both established owners and members who were new to ownership were able to participate in choosing best turned out awards and making presentations to winning connections of all the seven races.  

The day featured an Owners Jackpot, won by the Bryan Smart trained Wrenthorpe, to the delight of owner Dan Maltby Bloodstock Ltd and netting his owners the £2,000 bonus.  As usual, all qualified runners received travel expenses of £250 in the race.

The day also got off to a good start with the Racegoers Club Owners Group connections getting into the winners' enclosure after their Spirit Of The Sky stormed home in the opening race, showing the crowd just what it means to own a winner.

This month the ROA will head to Hereford on November 12 and Wetherby on November 27 for our last two regional meetings of this year.  Details of the bonuses attached to the ROA Owners Jackpot and future races can be found at roa.co.uk.