Maktoum man questions Race Day plan
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Criticism of plans for a European version of America's Breeders' Cup came last night from a leading adviser to the powerful Maktoum family.
Michael Goodbody, stud manager to Maktoum al Maktoum, said a European Race Day could never match the prestige of the Breeders' Cup.
Goodbody, speaking at the Gimcrack Dinner on behalf of the Sheikh (whose Royal Applause won this year's Gimcrack Stakes at York), also called for a breeders' representative on the British Horseracing Board and an increase in prize money. But he stressed that his comments on issues which he personally wanted to raise were "not necessarily the views of the Maktoum family".
He described the Race Day, planned for September 1997, as "a wonderful concept" but questioned its imposition on an already busy pattern race programme. "It is hard enough for the racing authorities and racecourse management to encourage the public to attend racing," Goodbody warned.
"One only has to look at the attendance on the Saturday Prix de l'Arc weekend in Paris or the Festival racing day at Ascot, where both meetings have top class racing, to see that the addition of a European Race Day would certainly have a negative effect on both these top class day's racing in Europe.''
He suggested that whatever money British racing puts towards the Race Day (Germany is favourite to stage the inaugural meeting), the cash would be better spent within the industry in Britain.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments