Quote:
Originally Posted by pointman
How do you feel the cost of ownership has impacted the number of horses being run? We don't hear much on this issue, but if the cost of ownership could be decreased would it logically follow that more horses would be put into training? It seems to me the little guy is being forced out of the game or into partnerships in order to participate as an owner which could impact on the size of the stock available to race.
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The cost of ownership is not going to go down because the basic expenses are only going to rise in cost. Hay has tripled in price in 4 years because of drought conditions in many areas and increase in fuel/shipping costs. Other feed like grain, etc has also risen for similar reasons. Workman's comp is not going down, liability ins is also more expensive and is now required in many jurisdictions(which is a good thing but hasnt always been required and hence is another expense). Labor costs continue to rise especially in NY where you are forced to pay employees under conditions that don't match their jobs. In other words we aren't paying them as agricultural workers but as though they are employees in a warehouse or 7-11 who work a basic 40 hour work week.
The little guy can still compete at the B level tracks but it doesnt make sense to try to do it in NY or CA. You pay a lot less in expense money at smaller tracks and run for similar purses to the big guys.