curious

I frankly have no idea. It should/could have come from the money that has been wasted on stakes the last two decades or so, especially since the Entain windfall. Where from now? What ideas do you have? I doubt the long-suffering taxpayer will want to chip in any more.

Not to me. They are certainly getting on running their businesses, those participants that have businesses, but I certainly don't see or hear that they are not grizzling and not very worried for the most part. Stakes may be the highest ever but inflation adjusted stakes are only slightly higher than they were in the 90s and then they were paid for by racing's wagering earnings, not by the capital payments from the sale of the TAB operations.

Really?

https://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/288706/france-galop-marketing-campaign-could-serve-as-model France Galop Marketing Campaign Could Serve as Model Dollars & Sense with Frank Angst By Frank Angst Today, 7:00 AM Sponsored By As United States racing moves to create a national marketing campaign in 2026, it would be well served to gather some input from France Galop, which recently was honored for its advertising and marketing efforts that aim to reconnect people with the sport. France Galop, which organizes, regulates, and promotes horse racing in the country, Nov. 19 was honored by the Grand Prix of Sport Business in three categories. It landed the Prix Argent for best marketing by a sports organization for its "sportainement" strategy to reconnect the French public with racing, the Prix Or for the best event activation in support of sport, and the Grand Prix of Sport Business for its "Horses in the City" event. The Horses in the City event brought together the many aspects of racing to showcase them in a singular event for the public. Backed by the Ministry of Agriculture, the event brought together Paris City Hall, the French Federation of Horse Racing, Association for Training and Social Support of Horse Racing Staff, and the Au-dela des Pistes (a racehorse retraining association). For two days in September, French racing showcased many aspects of the sport and industry by taking its story to the people, setting up shop in one of the beloved squares in Paris—the Place de la Concorde, which served as a favored gathering spot during the 2024 Summer Olympics. For two days Paris saw horse and jockey parades in a giant paddock—as if a racecourse had been dropped into the city. The free event saw horse riding sessions and demonstrations, activities for children and families, meet and greets with racing's stars, demonstrations by graduates of the retraining program, and giant television screens highlighting top horses and races. Ahead of the September event France Galop managing director Elie Hennau noted that people would have a chance to make a connection. "At Place de la Concorde, everyone can admire the racehorses from up close, learn how to ride like a jockey, watch equestrian demonstrations, and learn all about our wonderful sport," Hennau said. The event attracted more than 35,000 visitors. France Galop president Guillaume de Saint-Seine told Racing Post in September that the event built connection with the public while telling racing's big-picture story. "It is one of my ambitions to bring horse racing back into the hearts of the French people and what better way than to bring horses into the city," de Saint-Seine said. "I hope many people will come and discover all the professions associated with racing, and to show the passion we have for the horses here." As U.S. racing is expected to create a national marketing campaign in 2026, taking some lessons from France Galop would be wise. While betting races is the greatest gambling game ever invented and deserves to be promoted, it's important that the sport rebuild its connection with the public. If such a connection can be built, it would prove the best investment long-term. As for that process of building more powerful connections? Racing and breeding's agricultural ties provide plenty of opportunity. Then there are our many stories to tell: farms, training centers, sales, tracks, and retirement farms to name a few. This should be a strength in building these connections. Professional soccer teams throughout the U.S. have done a great job with this approach. Without the tradition that football and baseball have enjoyed in the U.S. these teams have understood the need to connect. Many have backed youth programs, and fostered connections with local restaurants and bars. It's a buy-local approach taken to sport. Such an effort in racing can build fans and good feelings overall, which can be critical during times the sport pursues initiatives with government. Good news for racing? The sport has the best of God's creatures in building such a connection: the horse. France Galop certainly leaned into that approach. "With the inaugural edition of Horses in the City we aimed to engage Parisians at the Place de la Concorde, in line with our mission to bring racing back into the hearts of the French people," de Saint-Seine said. "These awards bring pride to the entire industry and inspire us to keep offering unique experiences at our racecourses."

What about them?

Even since then, they published venue plans in 2019 and 2024. Are they now out the window? Not that they've been implemented.

I'm trying to remember how many national venue plans we've had in the last few decades?

With the prospect of no racing there for at least another 18 months I expect those trainers and their owners are all happy as a sandboy.

Did a pound = a dollar in 1967?

Yes. My point exactly. Though it may be of more use to connections and possibly jockeys reviewing a specific performance. Punters willing to do the work might also benefit because most won't take the time or effort required, giving those who do an edge.

Oh correct. It was gold fines

Last time I was there too. Only time I was persuaded to race a horse of mine on the coast and after walking the track a couple of times, we were back on the the float and home for tea. It was two helicopters I think and from memory, there had been no major renovation but they had spread coal dust on the track to improve it. Unperturbed, the party was still on with the crowd in good spirits when we left, racing or not.

Be good if they'd include that graphic on the published replays.

TAB NZ September 2024 monthly update: Total turnover: NZ$234.5 million Gross betting revenue (GBR): NZ$36.8 million Gross betting margin (GBM): 15.7% Racing vs Sports split: Racing: ~NZ$190 million (≈81%) Sports: ~NZ$44 million (≈19%)

September 2022: Total turnover: NZ$212.7 million Gross betting revenue (GBR): NZ$33.6 million Gross betting margin (GBM): 15.8% That's racing and sports combined.