Representatives of the working group formed following the publication of an open letter to the GBGB met with the board yesterday, in what it was agreed would be the first of a regular series of discussions. The letter called for improvements to standards across greyhound racing.
The working group was represented by Derby-winning trainer Kevin Hutton, assistant trainer Jade Browne, Coppice Racing owner Tony Brealey, trainer/breeder Phil Milner and owner/syndicate manager George Sell.
They began by outlining their perspective. All are passionate supporters of greyhound racing but are increasingly disillusioned by how they see the sport.
They are keen to enter into a constructive and positive dialogue with GBGB about the future. Their motivation to write the letter was the culmination of frustration over a number of issues across the sport that have been in the public domain recently, alongside other concerns that had been growing for some time.
The working group feels that, despite significant improvements in welfare, in other areas, the sport has declined in recent years and is now at a critical point over its future.
There are significant challenges in the sport today around:
– Professionalism and standards across the sport
– Inconsistency across the tracks in the owner and trainer experience
– The regulation of owners and trainers compared to the expectations and sanctions placed on tracks
– Ensuring that the standards of welfare are consistent and maximised across the sport
– Communication and dialogue between GBGB and those in the sport
– The level of training and development for those working in the sport and for those looking to enter the sport
– The incongruity of the financial model for participation
– The future of the sport
– from funding to prize money, and from breeding to retirement
The working group believes there are a series of quick wins which could positively impact the appearance and external reputation of the sport, resulting in increased footfall and popular support; as well as an increase in betting turnover and the resulting rise in funding that would bring.
The GBGB was represented by Jeremy Cooper (Chair), Mark Bird (CEO), Mark Moisley (Commercial Director), Bill Glass (Promoter, Director), Simon Franklin (Director), Peter Harnden (Trainers Rep, Director) and Ian Foster (Owners Rep, Director).
The board initially responded by saying the working group may be surprised by how much of the letter GBGB agrees with.
GBGB attended the meeting “to listen and see how they can respond. They agree that, as regulator, they should be held to account and should lead the sport forward where they can. But likewise, they welcome the signatories’ talking of collective responsibility and their acceptance that every area of the sport is only as strong as its weakest link”.
GBGB is funded from two sources – the bookmakers via the BGRF and the promoters via the special licence fees. The bookmakers voluntarily give GBGB 0.6 per cent of their turnover from greyhound racing; this sum has been declining in recent years. GBGB has been seeking, unsuccessfully, to have this increased to one per cent of turnover. Without an appropriate voluntary levy, both parties agree a statutory levy becomes increasingly necessary.??GBGB outlined its work in creating an executive team, formulating a Welfare Strategy essential to the future of the sport, particularly in the face of efforts by animal charities lobbying for a ban on greyhound racing.
Both parties agreed to future meetings to discuss the issues raised in the open letter in detail.
A provisional schedule for this was set:
Meeting 2 Standards and professionalism
Meeting 3 Ownership experience, promotion and marketing
Meeting 4 Welfare, safety and rehoming
Meeting 5 Careers and training
Meeting 6 Roadmap for the future
Kevin Hutton said: “I felt the working group was very well received by the GBGB, and we had a productive first meeting where many of our goals and hopes for the sport were shared. I look forward to being part of future meetings and helping in any way I can towards the betterment of the sport for all stakeholders.”
George Sell said: “Today’s meeting was an encouraging start. I was pleased that the board was open to hearing our concerns, and to entering further discussions where the aim will be to secure some real improvements to standards across the sport. The conversation today was open and candid. Some strong views were expressed but I do believe that some meaningful change will come about from this process. There is no single quick fix for the numerous issues the sport is facing, and there is a lot of work to be done, but I view this meeting as the start of a dialogue which can produce results that all stakeholders will benefit from.”
Mark Bird said: “Since the open letter was posted, we have been amenable to meeting with some of the signatories to hear and understand their concerns and equally, what ideas they have to overcome some of the matters to which the GBGB can help to exert change. There were many subject areas to look at in a single meeting but we remain committed to continue the conversations and look to some discernible positive outcomes from working with the group.”
The next meeting will be taking place within the next month.
