The future of Jeff Sealey’s Bicester schooling track is not guaranteed beyond November 5 with the owner so far unsuccessful in his application to GBGB for a grant.
Sealey said: “We could be going out with a bang, so to speak. I need £5,000 for 100 tons of sand and have been told that we can’t have a grant because we are not a licensed track.
“That is true, but if we were there, it would bring plenty of other complications because we would presumably need to have a vet in attendance every time we trialled a dog.
“I think we provide an important service to British breeding. There are virtually no schooling tracks around and trainers need puppies schooled. We also give a facility for trainer to bring dogs back from injury. Surely that is a welfare benefit?
“I haven’t decided what we will do if we don’t get the money, though I could make more money by turning the place over to solar panels or I could open it for other breeds for ‘fun days’ every Sunday. It just seems such a waste.”
GBGB boss Mark Bird responded: “Whilst I think everyone is sympathetic to Jeff’s request, as you are more than aware, schooling tracks, in the main, sit outside of the regulated industry.
“The BGRF rejected a payment to Jeff on the basis that it is operated on a commercial, unregulated basis, whilst accepting that licensed trainers utilise the schooling facilities.
“It is very likely that GBGB would adopt the same view as the Fund but I am prepared to raise at our board meeting this Thursday for consideration.”
