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Half to Expert Eye Debuts at Kempton

Observations on the European Racing Scene turns the spotlight on the best European races of the day, highlighting well-pedigreed horses early in their careers, horses of note returning to action and young runners that achieved notable results in the sales ring. Wednesday’s Insights features a half-brother to Breeders’ Cup winner Expert Eye (GB) (Acclamation {GB}).

4.20 Kempton, Novice, £6,300, 2yo, 7f (AWT)
DUTY OF CARE (GB) (Kingman {GB}) debuts for Khalid Abdullah and Sir Michael Stoute, who combined to capture the 2018 GI Breeders’ Cup Mile with his half-brother Expert Eye (GB) (Acclamation {GB}). The March-foaled bay, whose family also features the dual Classic winner Special Duty (GB) (Hennessy), gets a seven-pound allowance from Shadwell’s Chelmsford winner Maraakiz (Ire) (Muhaarar {GB}), a William Haggas-trained son of the South African Group 1 winner Entisaar (Aus) (More Than Ready).
4.55 Kempton, Novice, £6,300, 2yo, 7f (AWT)
HIGHLAND AVENUE (IRE) (Dubawi {Ire}) is another notable newcomer in this second division of the novice races on the card, being the first foal out of the G1 Cheveley Park S. heroine Lumiere (GB) (Shamardal). Charlie Appleby has charge of Godolphin’s January-foaled grey and early indications are that he is expected to score first time as his dam and second dam did to such impressive effect.

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UK Government to Examine Reform of Horserace Betty Levy and Gambling Reform

The UK Government will look into the timetable for reviewing the Horserace Betting Levy, and the news has been welcoming by the British Horseracing Authority (BHA). Not due for a review until 2024 under the current legislation, the Horserace Betting Levy is now on the table for next year. The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has magnified the funding issues of the industry, and the COVID-19 Recovery Plan, published in August, called for an urgent review as part of a wider initiative to restore industry finances. After the review was published, the BHA Chair and Chief Executive Annamarie Phelps and Nick Rust, respectively, met with the Sports Minister in September, where the issue of re-examining the Levy was raised. The Levy returns 10% of the profits on racing made by betting companies to the sport. The BHA also engaged MPs with racing interests in their constituencies, who made their own representations to the Sports Minister.

“We welcome the announcement from the Minister that DCMS will examine in 2021 the timetable for reviewing the Levy,” said BHA Chief Executive Nick Rust. “Racing industry leaders agreed that there was an urgent case for reform as part of our plans to recover from COVID-19 and have presented a united front to government. As the Minister outlined in the House today, there are ongoing conversations between the BHA and government on Levy reform. We look forward to working with DCMS officials and ministers in 2021 to ensure that the Levy is sustainable and fit for the digital age.”

Also on Tuesday, the UK Government has launched a major and wide-ranging review of gambling laws, which the BHA also welcomes. They agree with the objectives of protecting vulnerable individuals from gambling-related harm, as well as accepting the need to ensure that gambling legislation is modernised for the digital age while reflecting the significant economic contribution that gambling and associated industries make to the UK.

Rust added, “Betting on horseracing is enjoyed by millions of people safely and responsibly, with a low prevalence for gambling related harm. Despite the low levels of problem gambling in the sport, racing promotes responsible gambling and is committed to working with the betting industry to further reduce risk. We will also work closely with our partners in the betting and racing industry to formulate our response to the consultation.

“We are pleased to hear that the review will be evidence-based and we look forward to proposals that are proportionate and focused on those at risk. We know the government is aware of the potential impact on related industries such as British racing and the 80,000 livelihoods it supports. The Minister, Nigel Huddleston, made clear in his address that the challenging conditions that sports find themselves in, and the importance of legitimate commercial relationships between sport and gambling, will be considered as part of the review

“Racing and betting’s unique, interdependent relationship has been recognised by government in many ways, including through the Horserace Betting Levy. British racing has laid the groundwork for the gambling consultation with an industry group meeting for several months. Detailed submissions and representations were also made to the recent Lords Special Inquiry, which highlighted the ‘special position’ of racing and betting.”

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Letters to the Editor: Despite COVID, British Racing’s Success

There is much to be negative about with British racing but occasionally we should acknowledge and celebrate success. During this terrible year of Covid, racing’s rulers should be celebrated for what they have achieved and what has been saved.

Our great sport was back behind closed doors and handled the health implications effectively. The stud season took place with mares covered and the business uninterrupted.

The icing on the cake must surely be the remarkable resilience of the Tattersalls sales which ran in Newmarket on their original dates. To the best of our knowledge the December Sales ran without any outbreak of covid amongst the participants.

We should applaud Tattersalls for going the extra mile, the Maktoum family for their support, Government for recognising our importance as an international business as well as a great sport, but most of all our hard-working staff who kept the show on the road.

Well done ITV on spreading the message and pleasures of British Horse Racing. Let us hope that in 2021 the BHA can finally persuade Government that a properly funded industry can be for the benefit of all including bookmakers and the taxpayer.

Yours sincerely,

The Hon Peter Stanley & Simon Marsh
Manager, New England Stud General Manager, Watership Down & Kiltinan Castle Studs

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Colin Bowe Receives Willie Stephenson Memorial Trophy

Trainer Colin Bowe was chosen as the recipient of the Willie Stephenson Memorial Trophy for 2019, Goffs UK announced on Tuesday. The award commemorates the co-founder of DBS, now Goffs UK and is awarded annually to the person or persons whom the Goffs UK Board feel have made the biggest contribution to the success of the company during the year.

Bowe trainees are a regular feature at the Goffs UK Doncaster and Aintree Sales, particularly the latter, where they have topped three of the four sales held at the venue thus far. Normally, the award is presented at Doncaster, but due to COVID-19, it was instead awarded to Bowe in his yard on Tuesday.

“Colin has had a lasting impact on our sales with his point-to-pointers regularly featuring at the top of the market–a testament to his ability to consistently produce horses of the highest calibre,” said Goffs Group Chief Executive Henry Beeby in his role as the second successor to Willie Stephenson as Goffs UK Chairman. “He has played a big part in the ongoing success of our Aintree Sale having produced most of the sale toppers including Samcro who topped the inaugural 2016 sale and went on to become a headline horse, winning the G1 Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival in 2018 and the G1 Marsh Novices’ Chase at the Festival earlier this year.”

“We are delighted to add Colin’s name to the list of very worthy and diverse recipients of this award and look forward to selling more of his Milestone Stables’ graduates for many years to come.”

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