Horse trainers. It all seems so easy when you are at the top of the tree. Messrs Gosden, Charlton & their ilk don't have to worry about money (they do but not like some).
That brings us to prize money in the UK. We are talking about horse racing prize money. The numbers don't make very good reading. In fact, the prize money isn't a great deal different from ten years back. When the only chance an owner of a thoroughbred horse is the winning purse it is all about pounds, shillings and pence. True, they can bet on their horse but there are no guarantees and if the tips I have heard from trainers are anything to go by, they will have even more problems. They will be selling shares in their horse to Victor Chandler. Funny, how you never hear much about them as bookmakers these days. Anyway, the prize money is horrendous. Even high-profile races it seems pretty dire and that is for pattern races. I mean, who, realistically, is going to have a horse winning at that class? Yeah, perhaps if it cost £800,000 at the sales. You get my meaning, hey. Basically, horse racing, unless you get lucky or do something astounding, is a rich man's (or women's) hobby.
Ooh, La La…
I can understand why so many trainers from the UK are looking across the channel to ply their trade. A basic 2yo claiming race worth £10,000 to the winner. What would be the equivalent in the UK? Perhaps £3K. Maybe £4K on a good day. It is tempting, hey. When you think how much money is bet on a single race on a daily basis it is criminal that even a modest race isn't worth £10K. Just imagine what impact this would have on the horse racing industry? It would appeal to so many who have half an idea of wanting to buy a horse.
''I've got a horse!''
More and more UK horse trainers are looking to grab some ''good'' cash from the French racing. We see a few two-year-old horses go to Saint-cloud (France) this week. Why? Well, it wasn't to eat escargot. It was to grab a slice of the cherry pie.
Gay Kelleway is evening thinking of training in France. This news should make the powers that be listen rather than stick their heads in the sand like the crazy ostriches we see all too often.
If Kelleway is successful and other trainers see her success, how long will it be before others follow?
In truth, all the bookmakers would be crippled without horse racing. You have only to see how desperate they are to get a piece of the action every Cheltenham Festival to see their ''we don't make much money from horse racing'' talk is a load of baloney.
When major horse trainers start talking French, it's time to take note.