RacingHorse
Trusted Member
Today, we launch a series on what prominent industry participants perceive to be the sport’s biggest challenges, and what they feel people outside the industry believe them to be. If you are interested in participating in the series, please email suefinley@thetdn.com.
ELLIOTT WALDEN
Q: What is the most pressing problem that needs to be tackled in racing, and how would you solve it?
The most pressing problem in racing is the economics for the racehorse owner. Expenses have doubled in the last 15 years and purses are flat and trending downward. We have to raise revenues. I have always said, “Don’t bring me a problem without a solution,” but this is a very complex issue to fix. One idea would be to attack the issue of the ADW split and how we can solve the problem of them paying their fair share to purses. Secondly, can we help give the bettor more confidence to place a wager through better information and technology? And thirdly, we have to make the races a destination attraction to create the environment that is conducive to attract new fans, gamblers, and prospective owners. Owning racehorses can be a family affair if the quality of the product is good and our racetracks are updated.
Q: What do you think somebody from the outside looking in–somebody not involved in racing–would say the most pressing problem is?
The problem most people from the outside ask me is what happens to the horses when you are finished with them? I can proudly say they are bred, and some are rehomed to other sport disciplines. This has improved over the last five years, but we need to keep improving in this area.
Continue reading...
ELLIOTT WALDEN
Q: What is the most pressing problem that needs to be tackled in racing, and how would you solve it?
The most pressing problem in racing is the economics for the racehorse owner. Expenses have doubled in the last 15 years and purses are flat and trending downward. We have to raise revenues. I have always said, “Don’t bring me a problem without a solution,” but this is a very complex issue to fix. One idea would be to attack the issue of the ADW split and how we can solve the problem of them paying their fair share to purses. Secondly, can we help give the bettor more confidence to place a wager through better information and technology? And thirdly, we have to make the races a destination attraction to create the environment that is conducive to attract new fans, gamblers, and prospective owners. Owning racehorses can be a family affair if the quality of the product is good and our racetracks are updated.
Q: What do you think somebody from the outside looking in–somebody not involved in racing–would say the most pressing problem is?
The problem most people from the outside ask me is what happens to the horses when you are finished with them? I can proudly say they are bred, and some are rehomed to other sport disciplines. This has improved over the last five years, but we need to keep improving in this area.
Continue reading...