The current state of the UK horse Racing Industry. An interview with Gay Kelleway

Gay Kelleway started her training career in 1991 and to date has trained over 200 winners. Currently residing at Queen Alexandra Stables, situated in the lovely village of Exning, Newmarket, Gay's facilities are second to none. With the famous Newmarket Gallops easily accessible, owners are always welcome to visit the yard or to watch the morning exercise on the gallops. “I invite all my owners to take a close and personal interest in their horses and my yard. Racing is my life, it can be theirs too. I enjoy regular contact with owners, and nothing is ever too much trouble. I really do encourage all my owners to feel involved with the ownership and training of their horses, and my stables are always open to owners. The sport is not just about winning races, I also like to entertain owners with a variety of social events”.

Gay has trained many big time winners including the Ballgowan Stks Gr 3, Hilary Needler Trophy, Newbury Spring Cup, Wilfred Stks, Wentworth Stks Listed, The Haldon Chase Grade II Exeter, The Gladiator Gr 3 and the Goodwood Stakes. Her most successful horses have been Sorbie Tower, Anzou, Soviet Bureau, Fajjoura, Vortex, Absaloms Lady and Fajr.

Previous to her training career, Gay was a top lady jockey. She rode her first winner on the flat for leading trainer Clive Brittian and at the age of 17 years old finished second in the ladies Amateur Championship. After turning professional she became Champion Professional Lady Rider a total of four times (1980, 1981, 1982 and 1983). In total Gay rode some 60 winners. Amongst those winners was Sprowston Boy, who when coming home in front in the Queen Alexandra Stakes, made Gay the first lady jockey to ride a winner at Royal Ascot.

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

No.

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

Yes, more or less.

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

More high priced claimers.

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

No, but owners would race for nothing.

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

No, but a lot of owners do not do it for the money.

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

Yes – make Sunday a more high profile raceday like Saturday.

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, it is the future.

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

No – there's something for everyone, lots of horses, jockeys, trainers and owners who want to race.

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

More attractive sports reporters and presenters, jockeys more forthcoming to the public.

Q11: Do you agree with artificially watering racecourses?

No – false ground!

Q12: Are there enough new owners entering racing?

No.

Q13: How can the BHB be improved?

No need.

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

Public are able to view on TV.

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”?

Yes.

Q18: Who should own the Tote?

Racecourses.

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

No – (that's why I bet!).

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

Yes.

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?

Horse feed by 30%. Diesel – Mr. Brown's prices.

Q23: How much has rising costs affected your business?

Everything has gone up except the prize money – it's a tough business, but I run it like one always has – that's why I have achieved so much with what I have.

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

Minimal amount.

Q25: How has the Foxhunting ban affected you?

Not at all.

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

God only knows!

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

Yes.

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

Yes (maybe not in my time!.

Q29: Does “blood doping” exist within racing?

?

Q30: Is it possible to stop trainers and owners betting on their horses to lose?

Yes it already has (only a fool would do it!).

Q31: In your view, which kind of races should punters avoid?

Apprentice and Amateur races (Golden Rule.

Q32: Can you supply two horses for Priceform readers to follow?

Dubai Meydan & Prince Zafonic.

Anyone interested in finding out more about this stable can look on Gay's website www.gaykelleway.com.