I did not attend yesterday’s press briefing at GBGB offices. I wasn’t prepared to add legitimacy to an event to which I assume, on previous history, the Racing Post journalists had already been briefed.
It appears that the GBGB have decided to find ‘suitable’ new candidates for the positions of owner and trainer on the GBGB board. Really! I mean, who is kidding who? I bet every penny in my pocket, that the executive have already decided who they want.
The trainers role is the most difficult for them and my greatest wish for the new year is that the GTA can find a suitable candidate. The person should be strong, credible among their fellow professionals, but also statesmanlike. It must be someone who does not claim that the industry is intrinsically corrupt, but still able to stand up to the chairman without telling lies. If not, GBGB will try to find a suitable puppet. So keep an eye on who the Post start endorsing in the New Year. But if the GTA can find their own man or woman, GBGB will struggle to deny them the seat.
As for John Haynes replacement, I could make several guesses of people who are prepared to accept the poison chalice. I can think of at least one owner-breeder and another owner with big Romford connections. They had better be prepared, like the previous owners rep John Haynes, to fight their corner, or they will be buried by their peers.
Haynes did a great job, but surprisingly lost his track maintenance contract shortly after he refused to retire. He only wanted one more year to train up a successor. The poor sod was then subject to a witch hunt from sections of the media, the forums and an investigation by GBGB security who found eff-all to force him to walk away. I would love to tell the full story but the person most likely to ask the board the most awkward questions was paid off with a huge gagging order and can no longer speak to me.
Starting to fill the piece in yet? Certainly there was massive irritation among the promoters at Kelly’s handling of the issue earlier this week.
Greyhound racing needs a strong governing body, not one that has been manufactured to be compliant or a press that is happy to look the other way.
Quite frankly it stinks!
