GRA Chief Executive Clive Feltham is pressing ahead with plans for the 2017 Derby at Wimbledon, despite the long term threat of closure and lack of Derby sponsor.
He said: “We have a six month break clause in a two year lease and although the owners (Galliard Homes) could serve that at any time, I don’t think it is realistic that it will happen between now and the end of the year. At this stage we don’t have a Derby sponsor though I do have a couple of irons in the fire. But I accept it won’t be easy to find one as I would prefer to keep prize money at last year’s levels.”
Feltham also defended the company’s stance on possibly loaning or giving away some of GRA’s major events should the company choose not to stage them. This year the Laurels and Oaks may not be staged at Belle Vue.
He said: “This is nothing new. Apart from the Grand National which has gone to Central Park, we also released the Select Stakes which went to Nottingham. These have to be commercial decisions, you cannot attract crowds to justify running them. Sponsors aren’t easy to find, they tend to be bookmakers and of course a few owners and enthusiasts.”
But given the importance of the events to owners and trainers, with their prestige and historical interest, might some future money coming into the industry be channeled towards high profile events to keep them in the calendar? At present, only graded races benefit from prize money grants.
He said: “That maybe something that needs to be considered. The betting industry is already putting in money in terms of the SKY coverage, but they are also the main beneficiaries. Although many tracks like to have a televised meeting or two during the year to raise their profile, most can’t justify staging more than that. The bookies are the main beneficiaries of the SKY meetings and they may like to see money spent on specific competitions around the country.”
