The Current State of the UK Horse Racing Industry. An Interview with John Ryan

John Ryan trains at Sackville House stables in Newmarket, the home of horse racing. Son of the successful trainer Mick Ryan, John was an accomplished jockey, riding both on the flat and over jumps before turning his attention to training. He became assistant trainer to his father in 1999 before joining J Poulton in 2003. In 2005 John took out his own license and has gained winners with horses such as Buster and Forager. John's philosophy is to provide the very best facilities for his owners racehorses in a progressive and dynamic enviroment that will ensure their performance is maximised. The stables offer all round training combined with the latest training methods for both flat and jump horses.

John's Sackville House stables open out directly onto the Warren Hill training grounds. Regarded as the best training grounds in the world, they number six different all weather canters with many grass gallops to ensure horses never miss out on excercise whatever the weather. There is also access to horse swimming facilities, schooling grounds, a lunge pit and laser treatment equipment enabling fast treatment for minor injuries.

With a long history of success behind him, John prides himself in providing tailored services for racing syndicates, corporate and individual owners. His racing partnership horse Lindbergh is a tribute to his skills, having won or been placed in all of his last five starts. To join this partnership costs only £35 per week bringing racehorse ownership in to the tightest of budgets.

Q1: Do you feel there are currently too many Horse Racing meetings?

Yes.

Q2: Are the current meetings fairly and sensibly spread over the country?

No.

Q3: What kind of races would you like to see more of and which less of?

More Handicaps, less conditions races.

Q4: Do you feel the various grades of races receive the correct proportion of prize money?

No.

Q5: Is the current level of prize money on offer sufficient to both encourage new owners and retain existing ones?

No.

Q6: Should there be more major races staged on a Sunday?

Yes but not minor meetings.

Q7: Do you think the sex and age allowances in this country set at a fair level?

Yes.

Q8: Is “All Weather Racing” good for the long term future of the sport?

Yes.

Q9: Should Racing only operate on six days a week?

Yes.

Q10. How can we make Racing more attractive to the Sporting public?

Reduce entrance fees at lesser tracks.

Q11: Do you agree with artificially watering racecourses?

No.Only to maintain a good cover of grass.

Q12: Are there enough new owners entering racing?

Yes, but too many leave in a short time span.

Q13: How can the BHB be improved?

Cut down on the red tape.

Q14: What changes if any, would you like to see in the way Stewards Enquiries are held?

Make them a professional body.

Q15: Do the Bookmakers hold too much power?

Yes.

Q16: Are Bookmakers contributing enough to Horse Racing?

No.

Q17: Do you agree that Betting Exchanges are a “cheat's charter”?

Not if its policed.

Q18: Who should own the Tote?

The government.

Q19: Can the average trainer survive on prize money won and fees alone?

Just, if owners pay what they owe!

Q20: Is it harder to hire and retain staff now than it was ten years ago?

Yes, British anyway.

Q21: What ratio of staff to horses do you operate?

4/1.

Q22: In % terms, how much have costs risen in the last year and what single item has increased the most?

1/3. Travel costs.

Q23: How much has rising costs affected your business?

It makes margins for profit very fine.

Q24: Are you able to pass any of your increased costs on?

With difficulty.

Q25:Has the Foxhunting ban affected you?

Yes.

Q26: In your view, how corrupt is Horse Racing?

No more than any sport where money is bet on it.

Q27: Do you feel the Racehorse is as robust as it used to be?

Only at the top of the market.

Q28: Will we ever see a woman champion jockey (Flat or National Hunt)?

Possibly.

Anyone interested in finding out more about this stable can look on John's website jryanracing