I have heard it said that York Raceway may be closing early this season. I can say that this is not the case. They shall be completing their seasonal fixtures as usual, up to the end of October (providing of course that there are sufficient entries - I am sure there will be).

 

It is possible that this misunderstanding has been

circulated by reason of the impending proposed sale of the track, however, I can confirm that York Harness Racing Club Ltd, who are longstanding tenants and franchisees of the track, have received no formal

confirmation of a change of Landlord. The Club and Shareholders are awaiting developments.

 

Several people have asked me ‘How is the new Dope Testing initiative progressing’ and ‘Has it been

effective?’. My reply has been it has all gone well and it has been effective. We have carried out something like one hundred tests to date, as expected, most have been negative - this is as we had hoped. However, at the time of writing, we have had two positive tests and one

refusal to allow a test, details of which are reported

elsewhere in this Calendar. I am sure that the people who have made donations to the fund (that is partly

financing the programme) will be satisfied that their money is being well spent. Unfortunately, there are a few individuals who did make pledges, but to date have not fulfilled them. These people should realise that this initiative was launched on the understanding that

promised donations would be honoured.

 

It may be my imagination, I have no hard facts or

figures available and have neither the time nor the

inclination to obtain them, but it seems to me that

Stewards at both Tracks and BHRC level have had an unusually busy season, particularly dealing with issues relating to high value races. There seems to be a trend developing whereby some licence holders appear to

forget or choose to ignore some of the rules when

involved in these races. I would remind everybody that all the rules apply, whether it be in a minor or major event. We all give a written undertaking when we apply for our licences that we all abide by all the rules listed in the BHRC Rule Book.

 

I am loath to mention the subject, but it appears that handicapping will ‘rear its ugly head again’. You will recall that our Chairman has mentioned in one of his recent reports that we may be compelled to change our existing system, sooner rather than later. Legal opinion is that we are operating a discriminatory system - in it’s present form we penalise the same amount for winning a £1500 race as we do for a £10,000 race. No other EU country does this, they say every Euro counts and we should do the same. I have long held the view that this is the fairest for a monies won handicapping system. This could be imposed upon us before next season - the Council are standing by.

I cannot close without mentioning two wonderful

people, who for the past twenty years have spent hours of their time without reward and often without receiving the recognition and gratitude they have deserved. They have contributed to a unique success, the Sire Stakes Series, no less. Their dedication and hard work being the most obvious reasons why the Series has become the most rewarding and prestigious racing for British bred horses in the calendar. Year on year there has been a steady increase in the number of Stallions and their Foals to be nominated with virtually every horse that has got to the races being rewarded. That is some achievement and it is these two people that deserve our gratitude.

 

I make no apologies for blowing the Sire Stakes

trumpet, with a special thank you from the Sire Stakes Committee to Joe and Angela Hawkes for all their

efforts over the years. I do hope they will enjoy their retirement as I am sure they will. Thank you again Joe and Angela.

 

Enjoy your racing.

 

 

 

 

 

Barry Delaney