Ted Soppitt is the latest trainer to call for a change in the rules of the GBGB’s Injury Recovery Scheme.
We recently reported David Mullins’ frustration at not being able to re-trial his open race star Tenpin, for fear that it would lead to the immediate repayment of the £5,000 plus that it cost to treat a broken hock injury sustained in a solo trial. David was reasonably confident that the one-time Derby favourite would return sound following the operation and lengthy lay-off but it wasn’t worth the £5,000 risk.
Soppitt’s gamble is considerably smaller, £600, following a broken hock sustained by ARC Puppy Stake winner Biscuit Billy in a trial at Monmore. (Bearing in mind all greyhounds were required to run trials to be able contest open races at Entain tracks at that time.)
Ted said: “I have booked him in for a trial at Sheffield tomorrow and have been told that he is registered as ‘inactive’. The £600 was jointly paid by GBGB and Entain and I am waiting to find out if they would be prepared to waive the repayment until we know. But GBGB have said that from their perspective it can’t be done.
“Now Billy is a good open class greyhound and if put comes to shove, I will probably have to take the gamble. Albeit, we will probably know within 15 seconds whether or not we’ve just burnt £600. But this is a bigger issue than my dog. How many graders are sitting in kennels, taking up spaces waiting to be re-homed, that could be back on the track? But the dog is possibly worth £600 and the vets bill might be £1,500. You can’t blame a trainer for not risking it.
“I understand the risks of GBGB being asked to pay all veterinary bills but surely some common sense could be applied? Why not give every dog a ‘two trial option’? If the dog is given two trials and comes off sound, repay the money. If he isn’t going to come back sound, you will know by then.”
GBGB Director Ian Foster said: “I have been made aware of the issue and I plan to bring it up at an IRS meeting next week.”
