The future of horse racing has again been quite the regular topic of discussion in more recent years, but it should not be forgotten that there have been a plethora of changes to the rules and regulations governing the sport to make it fairer, and safer.
These have all pushed the sport further forward to not only the latest modern day welfare standards and expectations, but also on a science and technology front for the additional improvements that this can bring and for those who enjoy horse racing betting and study the odds and the histories before they have a small flutter on the outcome, these standards only improve their experience with the added reliability through safety.
However, lingering doubts remain about animal health and safety, as do pressures to go further with the changes that have been implemented. And of course, there are those who would only see a complete ban and ending of racing as being considered as the acceptable step forward now, irrespective of how much events actually contribute to the economy, the jobs they provide and the entertainment that it brings others – who will often share many of the concerns, just not all of the more extreme ones.
With plenty of debates about the future currently ongoing, one of the latest developments came direct from the Welsh Senedd, and as many will remember it concerned their decision to successfully vote (March 17) to end greyhound racing. The ban is expected to eventually come into force at some point between April 2027 and April 2030.
The day following the Welsh vote, Holyrood held their own vote and also successfully decided on a ban that would apply to Scotland.
With questions still to be answered as both decisions continue their own fallout in the devolved nations with many now wondering if, and what else, this generic ban on greyhound racing will be extended, and applied to, in the coming years Welsh first minister Rhun ap Iorwerth is clearly not yet ready to provide answers or even the basics of an expected road map going forward.
Asked whether or not a direct motion would be laid in the Welsh Assembly that sought to fully ban horse racing with jumps, following comments previously made by Plaid Cymru members, the response offered was to ‘correct’ the record and point out that the prior vote on greyhound racing was a free vote amongst the party – as it was other parties – and was not directly sponsored or whipped on any party lines.
Reacting to the exchange, a British Horseracing Authority (BHA) spokesperson stated that they had been working on a cross party basis with the Senedd for a number of years, and that they continued to actively engage with the Welsh Government on behalf of the industry to promote and express the benefits (and those of investment – £63 million since 2000) that horse racing brings to the country and the wider United Kingdom economy.
They went on to add whether or not that investment came in the shape of welfare initiatives, or other such programmes right down to the consumer elements at play at race meets themselves. It was also pointed out the politicians serving in the Senedd had themselves previously spoken about the huge strides forward being made, with praise for the ‘highest standards of equine welfare in the sport’ that are now the baselines that are followed.
It should be noted that previously the BHA have confirmed that they have been told that there is no connection between the bills that have been progressed and that of horse racings future in either Wales and Scotland.
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