Yesterday, in Sydney, a Strategic Plan for racing in NSW was released.
And it is brilliant.
Now, while there are many things to unpack about it, one that stood out like dog’s balls is this: Right now, on the eve of the Inglis Easter Yearling Sale, is perhaps the best time in Australian racing history to get involved in racehorse ownership.
And I say that, not with any agenda to promote the sport at all, but because the stats are stunning.
For instance, and we’ll look at 10 years ago vs today as our scales of comparison.
Back in 2009 the average field size in Saturday metro races in NSW was 9.64 runners per race.
Today it is 8.91 runners per race.
The ratios for provincial racing: 2009 -10.2, today 8.16. Country in 2009 – 11.02, today 10.45.
* Conclusion: less rivals to beat, more money to win.
Back in 2009 the Saturday metro prizemoney was $90,000.
Today it is $125,000.
The ratios for provincial racing; 2009 – $25,000 today $35,000. Country in 2009 – $8000, today $22,000.
* Conclusion: much more prizemoney to win.
Back in 2009 the foal crop size in NSW was 7,309.
Today it is 5,807.
Across Australia the decrease is alarming but the silver lining is more money for those who race. In 2009 Australia-wide the foal crop was 17,800
Today it is 12,400.
* Conclusion: less rivals to race against.
And this year we will see Racing NSW phasing in trainer cash bonuses for racing horses. That means much more cash flow for the trainer, and he/she is to offset that against the horse’s owners’ bill.
Presumably meaning the more a horse races, the less the owner’s bill will be making racing a horse MASSIVELY more affordable.
Over past 5 years we have seen the introduction of prizemoney payments down to 10th spot in Metro, Provincial and Country races and this year racing NSW will emphasise those payments between 6th and last to be increased!
