Shaping The Future Of Irish Racing Forum

ITBA Southern Region Forum on Irish Racing

• In what was a seminal meeting, representatives from every spectrum of the Irish racing industry gathered at the Horse And Jockey Hotel in the equally aptly named town of Horse And Jockey in Co. Tipperary on Tuesday 1st March for a ground-breaking Forum organised by the Southern Region of the Irish Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association.

• Billed as an opportunity to ‘Have Your Say’ the Forum did just that, as the lecture theatre was filled to capacity by 200 racing enthusiasts, most of whom were industry professionals involved at the highest level. The panel, too, had been well-chosen, guaranteeing innovative ideas and the assurance all suggestions would be considered and implemented if possible by the relevant bodies. It is the first time such an open floor has been offered to such influential industry leaders and enthusiasts.

• Chairing the Forum was Brian Gleeson (RTE Racing) and the panel featured Brian Kavanagh, CEO of HRI; John Moloney, Chairman of Irish Racecourses; Michael O’Hagan, CEO of ITM; Tony O’Reilly, Chairman of the Irish Racegoers’ Club; Sinead Hyland, Chairman YITBA; and guest Jonathan Irwin.

• ITBA Southern Region Chairman Maurice Moloney welcomed guests, reminding them of the aim of the gathering as he asked, “What can we do to get more people to go racing? What do we need to do to get breeders to support the end product – racing?” He pointed out that, “We have leaders from every industry group represented here tonight – owners, trainers, breeders, punters, racecourse managers, staff and bookmakers – and it’s great to see so many young people here. I would like this to be a positive view forward rather than a negative of what has happened in the past.”

• This certainly proved to be the case as Brian Gleeson expertly fielded ideas and suggestions from the floor on what might be done to improve the raceday experience and promote racing to a wider audience. The call to move midweek evening meetings to a Friday night and to reduce admission prices and increase low cost admission packages were among the more popular suggestions, as well as offering free entry to lady racegoers in the knowledge it would attract male racegoers! Charity awareness racedays was another of the suggestions cited by one of the many students attending from the Irish National Stud diploma course.

• Jonathan Irwin discussed some of the successful innovations employed by Phoenix Park racecourse during his administration and reminded his audience that, “There is absolutely nothing wrong with the theatre of racing – it has the best actors, best directors and best producers. But there is a disinterest among the general public of what you are all so passionate about.”

• Outlining some of his ideas for the proposed racecourse at Abbottstown in Dublin, Irwin advocated a realistic pricing structure for admission. “What is a grandstand? A stand for grand people. Let those who want a reserved seat with a view and top class dining pay through the nose to get in and let everyone else in for free. Racing is a casino. You wouldn’t charge a mouse for the cheese.”

• Michael O’Hagan examined the recurring question of why go racing, when television and internet betting can provide so much more. “Sit at home,” O’Hagan weighed up, “or go to the track, see it all happening, meet owners, trainers, jockeys, see the action and hear the excitement – you’re there, amongst it. The whole economic thrust of the industry is built around the passion of the horse. We punch way above our weight.”

• “We need to get together again,” urged John Moloney, to a round of applause, “every facet of the industry needs to put its shoulders together and put our shoulders to the wheel. When going racing, bring someone with you.” This was later expanded to the popular suggestion that individuals request 10 free tickets from their local racecourse manager and fetch new guests to a popular raceday. The need to integrate newcomers and ensure they have an enjoyable day was repeatedly stressed.

• While much of the discussion featured on attracting young people to the racecourse, including visits to the schools and colleges of their home counties by successful young jockeys, Joe Osborne reminded the Forum that we might be “losing the mark by trying to chase twenty-somethings when our demographic is fifty-plus.” He pointed out that their needs were very simple and should not be overlooked. Tom Ryan, manager of Naas, was in agreement, saying, “We’re getting cleaned out chasing the social aspect. We need to focus on those who genuinely have an interest in racing.” He highlighted the inherent problem leading to such a Forum. “We are one of the courses who offer free entry to the breeder of any runner in a race,” he pointed out, “last year we had 3,000 runners – and just three breeders attended.”

• There was a unanimous call for all racecourses to have a big screen and an increase of seating, while a debate ensued between an increase of racing and the retention of prize money levels. Brian Kavanagh kept things firmly in perspective and advocated a move towards a two-tier system, providing “racemeetings for the industry, to put money back into the system, to give jockeys a ride and owners a chance to win.” He identified the three key challenges of how to improve the product, how to make it attractive for having a bet and how to broaden the fan base. “When forming a Strategic Marketing Group we deliberately went to experts from outside the industry,” he said, “and their report should be ready within the next three months. I can see a vast number of those recommendations being followed.”

• The optimism and positive approach from the panel was reflected in the suggestions from the floor and it is encouraging that all of the ideas will be taken on board by the relevant departments and given full consideration, allowing the Forum to fully live up to its billing of ‘Have Your Say!’

 
Also appeared on ITBA website. 02 March 2011
 
Written by Lissa Oliver who is a freelance horseracing journalist and researcher, based in Kildare. She writes for The Irish Field, the daily European Bloodstock News (EBN), European Trainer magazine, Racetrack magazine (Australia) and the Irish Thoroughbred Breeders' Association. She has been nominated for the prestigious Clive Graham Journalist Of The Year Award in both 2008 and 2009 and is also the author of three novels, 'Nero The Last Caesar', the horseracing thriller 'Gala Day' and her latest horseracing novel "Chantilly Dawns" (also available as an e-book on amazon).