The Racing League
Racing League – A new £1.8 million Team Competition
The financial damage wreaked on racing by Covid 19 has been felt across the industry, no more so than on UK owners who have seen prize money reduced to derisory levels. Fortunately, there may be a ray of light for next summer with the announcement of the Racing League team racing competition, with guaranteed prize money of £1.8 million.
The concept of team events in racing is not new, with the Shergar Cup well established and Jeremy Wray’s Racing League having already endured two “false starts”. However, this time it feels different and with the focus on enhanced prize money there appears to be momentum and a genuine desire to make it happen.
How Will it Work
There will be 12 teams racing in team colours, with each team consisting of two to four trainers working together. Teams will be organized on a geographical basis, including representatives from Ireland and France. Each team will have a pool of 3 jockeys and there will be a squad of 30 horses per team. There will be 6 meetings and the teams will compete in 12- runner handicaps with horses rated 0-90 over distances of between five and twelve furlongs. Each race will be worth £50,000 in prize money. Interestingly, it aims to trial new rules to encourage “hands and heel” finishes where the jockey will only be allowed to use the whip for safety and correction purposes, rather than for encouragement.
Racing Fans
The intention is to create an atmosphere primarily appealing to families and younger racegoers. The infield at every racecourse will be transformed into a festival of food, drink, music, e-sports and entertainment to continue throughout the day and evening.
The Owners
It will be a decision between the trainer and the owner as to whether a qualifying horse is nominated to form part of the team squad. There is certainly no obligation on the part of the owner and there are a number of factors to consider.
On the plus side there is the guaranteed prize money of £50,000. Compare this to the typical prize money of between £10,000-£15,000 for an 85 rated horse competing in a Class 3 Handicap! However, a number of owners have pointed out the potential downside of horses running in team colours and less opportunity to provide input into race strategy and jockey selection. The concern is that the “ownership experience” will be diluted.
The Surrey Racing View
Innovation always meets scepticism and the concept is not without its critics. In addition to the concerns of the owners, some trainers are opposed to the idea of the limited use of whips feeling it will be detrimental to the sport in the long term. Others feel it is an expensive gimmick and that the money could be put to better use supporting and developing other areas of the sport.
Surrey Racing is always open to ideas that will broaden the appeal of racing and provide the opportunity to compete for better prize money. However, like many owners, we have concerns about limiting the race options for our horses and not having them run in the Surrey Racing colours.
There are four trainers (Hughie Morrison, George Baker, Charlie Fellowes and Nicky Henderson) who currently train on behalf of Surrey Racing and have signed up for the Racing League. Overall, we are supportive of the idea, but as always, the “ devil is in the detail” and there are a number of key elements still to be agreed. We will keep an open mind and continue the dialogue with both our trainers and syndicate owners before deciding whether to nominate any of our horses for the competition. With or without the Racing League we have exciting plans for all our horses next season both here and abroad.