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

John Gallagher trains with his wife Rebecca from Grove Farm Racing Stables set in the delightful location of Chastleton, Moreton-in-Marsh, Gloucestershire. His excellent facilities include a 7 furlong all-weather gallop, a 5 furlong grass gallop, a large loose school and a set of fences and hurdles all set in 60 acres of organic grass turn out.

Scenes from Grove Farm Stables

There is stabling for a maximum of 30 horses. This makes it an ideal yard for owners as you will only deal with John and Rebecca and your horse has maximum attention. Every new horse has an MOT involving chiropractic, dentist (if required), and turn out. This sometimes finds out old problems and enables us to work the horse accordingly. All horses receive top quality feed, bedding and home made organic haylage.

John obtained a dual license in 2001 and started with a small and limited string. Previously John had 16 years experience with top trainers including Ken Ivory, Peter Harris, John Mackie and Karl Burke; and has ridden winners as an amateur.

His wife, Rebecca, has ridden over jumps and enjoyed winners on the flat. Before obtaining a dual license, together John and Rebecca have ridden track work in Australia as well as ttraining Point to Point, and Hunter Chase winners.

Mac Gille Eoin wins the Prince's Stand Stakes on Derby Day

John's versatility as a trainer shows with the diversity of winners achieved - from 6 furlong 2 year olds, to 3 mile chasers. During 2008 - 46% of their runners have been in the first 4! Prize money earned is already £73,305.00! So far if you have a horse in training with John you have a 70% chance of being in the prize money and winners enclosure!!

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?

There is a good selection of races. Maybe not enough for horses rated 95+

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 Definitely not!

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

Not necessarily as this is often difficult for staff, major races or not.

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 Definitely.

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

Provide more family and baby facilities. Reduce entry fees. Towcester did this and increased their profits and attendance. Do other entertainment as well such as music etc.

Q11: Do you agree with artificially watering racecourses?

No.

Q12: Are there enough new owners entering racing?

No.

Q13: How can the BHB be improved?

Reduce all administration charges across the board.

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

None.

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?

I don't really know enough about it to comment.

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

Not if they are paying a high rent or mortgage.

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

YES definitely.

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

3/4.

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

Approx 30% Horse Feed inc haylage.

Q23: How much has rising costs affected your business?

It does not really affect us it affects the owners as the increase gets past on. This means that owners do not sell their horses they just do not replace them.

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

Only some. Yes (we have to).

Q25: How has the Foxhunting ban affected you?

None at all as they carry on as before.

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

As corrupt as anything involving gambling.

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)?

No.

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