2014 admission hikes for Belmont, Saratoga: GA $5, Clubhouse $8

[Cannon Shell]

I have maintained for years that racing in this country is more or less doomed because of incompetent leadership and greed. That leadership isnt restricted to those within racing nor is the greed. The truth is no one HAS to own a horse and no one HAS to bet on a horse and no one HAS to breed horses.

I dont think people realize how few people are actually making any significant money on the horsemen's side WITH the slot money.

[jms62]

Originally Posted by Cannon Shell

I have maintained for years that racing in this to is more or less doomed because of incompetent leadership and greed. That leadership isnt restricted to those within racing nor is the greed. The truth is no one HAS to own a horse and no one HAS to bet on a horse and no one HAS to breed horses.

How long before we run out of people willing to pay 500K for an animal that on average doesn't earn enough to even cover training costs?

[Cannon Shell]

Originally Posted by jms62

How long before we run out of people willing to pay 500K for an animal that on average doesn't earn enough to even cover training costs?

Amazingly enough they are a resilient group

Using racing for taxation advantages plays a role as well. Take those away and you will see a lot fewer owners ponying up big money.

[Duvalier]

Originally Posted by Cannon Shell

I dont think people realize how few people are actually making any significant money on the horsemen's side WITH the slot money.

Chuck...who is making money in your opinion? Owners, vets, trainers, breeders, bloodstock agents, pinhookers or others I haven't mentioned?

[Cannon Shell]

Originally Posted by Duvalier

Chuck...who is making money in your opinion? Owners, vets, trainers, breeders, bloodstock agents, pinhookers or others I haven't mentioned?

A very small % of each. Everyone sees Pletcher or Jacobson or Ness winning races all the time or horses selling for $1 million dollars at the sales but they are a minute % of the total. The economics of the sport on the horse side are really insane. Even at places where slot money is added to purses you still have a large % of horses losing money.