“We’ve always been considered a small track. From January onwards, we will be able to compete with any track in the country.”
Henlow promoter Kevin Boothby is buzzing like Eee-d out teenager after his eighth Vodka-RedBull. The track he bought 13 years ago, and has subsidised every year since, is about to be transformed.
It will go from zero BAGS meetings to four extremely lucrative SIS cards per week and the greyhound enthusiast, owner, breeder, racecourse promoter cannot wait for January 1.
He said: “It is almost impossible to imagine. Our A10 bottom grade will pay £100 to the winner, £40 per run. Opens will be worth £250 with £50 per run. We will also be paying runner money to the visiting trainers, though I am still to finalise the figures. We plan to have two major open race competitions each month – mainly ‘Cat Ones’ and ‘Cat Twos’. Ideally, if I can get agreement with the open race committee, I would like between four and six ‘Cat ones’ including the return of the Puppy Derby.
The track stage two morning meetings (Monday, Thursday), a Tuesday evening, and the popular Sunday afternoon open race meetings switch to the afternoons.
Boothby said: “I love open racing, this place comes to life, and I can see Sunday afternoon being a big winner. We’ll put lunch on for the trainers, and 14 open races, 2pm-5.30pm.”
The plan to build-up the kennel strength has already started. The two kennels on site, run by Jason Bloomfield and Steve Fletcher will soon by joined by long time stalwart Graham Payne who will be based in a new block for 30-40 dogs.
Boothby said: “All the kennels operate free of rent and with no water or electric bills, and Graham was looking to give up work and pursue his hobby with his daughter helping him run the kennel. Diane Henry is also extending her own kennel and looking to join us, but I am still looking to take on more contract trainers.
“Anybody with ten or more dogs can get a contract. I don’t need to run it past an accountant or a board of directors, if anyone want to get in touch, I will deal with it.”
The track are recruiting with immediate effect as they are planning to stage four meetings per week throughout the lucrative month of December. After that though, evening weekend meetings will cease.
“I am not too concerned” says Boothby, “we will have the Tuesdays and the Sunday afternoons. We are already looking to spend some money on the facilities. We have a new company Mentor, upgrading the TVs to new plasmas, and I plan to refurbish the restaurant. With the weekends free, we may even introduce wedding receptions and look to operate seven nights a week.”
Boothby is already planning salary increases for the staff and to spend heavily of the racing circuit, including new equipment. His excitement is tangible.
He said: “I have spent years struggling to pay the bills, knowing that we would lose £40-£50,000 every January/February. We can now look forward to rewarding everyone involved in the stadium. I really, really cannot wait.”
Kevin Boothby can be contacted at [email protected]
