SPORT 84

STEWARDING

Recently the BHA unveiled its new stewarding model (due to be introduced later this year). It is based on what is described as a “one team” philosophy. In practical terms the present arrangement for racecourse stewarding involves five people – three BHA employees and two Amateur stewards. The new model will also feature five people – four BHA employees and one Amateur. The Amateur element will be shrunk.

Interesting. In recent times it has become obvious that there is a lively and healthy relationship between the two categories of stewards. SPORT  83 (1^st August 2018) describes the aftermath of two important races that took place recently: in both cases the rules were ignored, the decisions were wrong and the Stewards’ Reports on the BHA website contained serious omissions of important aspects of the races and serious alternatives to hard facts in the accounts of what went on.

In both cases the stewards took much longer than usual to reach their verdicts, which suggests differences of opinion in the decision-making process. The newspapers noticed this, they also noticed the contentious nature of the way the races were run, and the puzzling nature of the verdicts that were eventually announced.

I have no doubt that in both cases the verdicts reflected the will of the stewards employed by the BHA and the differences of opinion came from the Amateur stewards. I am also convinced that the public interest in what went on, and the press coverage of same, reflected the healthy relationship to which I have referred. Checks and balances, it is called. The Amateur element encourages good judgement.

It occurs to me that the “one team” philosophy espoused by the new BHA policy is an example of a process which in political arrangements culminates in the “one party state” which, as we all know, is the road to corruption.

With respect, I would suggest that the existing arrangement of Racecourse Stewarding be retained, and that the Amateur Stewards be required to deliver in writing to the Chairman of the new Judiciary any report on the discussion in the Stewards’ Room which they consider relevant. Something of that nature might limit and discourage the excesses to which BHA-employed stewards seem prone.

The “one team” press release featured a claim that the initiative was the result of widespread consultation throughout the racing industry, which had resulted in overwhelming support for the “one team” brand.  Some sort of assurance from Racing’s Stakeholders  that this is the case would be most welcome.

CITY CENTRE RACING

I see that the subject is back in the news. Someone called Wray is suggesting that it will be entirely wholesome for horses to gallop up fashionable avenues in the heart of the world’s city centres, because they will be ridden by jockeys who will carry whips but only use them in self-defence.

Donec has spoken to a few horses and can report that their reaction has been unenthusiastic. No beatings, I persisted. The man clearly loves horses.

“Snort!” came the reply. “Like a shark loves seal pups!”

I thought that was a bit unfair, but I must admit that I can think of nothing more decadent than taking the noble animal to an urban environment and asking it to exert itself in an atmosphere that is heavy with pollution, for the entertainment of  a local population the majority of whom have consistently made it clear that horse racing does not interest them (apart from Derby Day and the Grand National, both of which take place on racecourses.)

BEAUTY

In his August 14^th column in the Racing Post, Alastair Down quotes a London taxi-driver’s views on horseracing. I paraphrase….“I love it… horses galloping…. a staggeringly beautiful sight…. There’s nothing else like it.”

Thank you, Alastair. You made me think about the good things in life which are generally attributed to the Creator, or Mother Nature, or various supernatural bodies too numerous to name.

Let us bask in reflected glory as we relish the fact that the thoroughbred owes nothing to any of the movers and shakers listed above. The thoroughbred was magicked into existence by the genius, imagination and endeavour of three humans, two Yorkshiremen and one from Derbyshire. They were responsible for bringing to England the three Middle-Eastern stallions which formed half of the marriage which produced Arkle and Frankel.

The Byerley Turk was among the spoils of war acquired by Captain Robert Byerley who finished on the winning side at the Battle of Buda (1686). Horse and rider retired to Goldsborough Hall in North Yorkshire where the  Turk proceeded to lay the foundations of the dynasty to which Frankel belongs.

The Godolphin Arabian (1724 – 1753) was acquired by Edward Coke MP, of Longford Hall, Derbyshire, and was bought by the 2^nd Earl Godolphin when Coke died. He was the leading sire in England in 1738, 1745, and 1747.

IN 1704 the Darley Arabian was bought in Aleppo, Syria, by Thomas Darley, at that time Britain’s representative in that part of the world. He presented the horse to his brother, who lived at Aldby Park, Yorkshire. There the horse set about the breeding business to such good effect that nowadays 85 percent of the world’s thoroughbreds (including the late  great Arkle) might reasonably refer to him as “Big Daddy.” His original name was “Ras al Fedowi” which is Arabic for “The Headstrong One.”

So there you have it: mankind created the thoroughbred, one of the wonders of Planet Earth. Not a lot of people know that.

It is probably no more than a coincidence, but the president of Donec Inc. spent two thirds of his formative years in Yorkshire and the rest in Derbyshire.

Best Wishes.