Ian Smyth, Head of Stadia for the four Ladbrokes Coral tracks has pledged that there will be no reduction in prize money or trainer payments following the resumption of racing next week writes Floyd Amphlett.
With media rights payments likely to be slashed until betting shops re-open, a number of tracks are likely to be forced to reduce prize money levels. However owners and trainers at Crayford, Hove, Monmore and Romford can breathe a collective sigh of relief.
Smyth said: “I am in a very privileged position in that the company I work for have been prepared to support us throughout this whole situation. Our trainers have been impeccable and shown great loyalty and it wouldn’t seem right to penalise them or their owners having gone through this hardship. We will review the situation again at the end of June but that is the decision that we have made.”
Throughout the 11 weeks of lockdown, Ladbrokes Coral have continued to make weekly payments for the 4,000+ greyhounds (including all triallers and dogs off the strength) in trainer’s kennels.
Now, Smyth’s greatest priority is seeing as many return to racing as possible.
He said: “We are obviously restricted by the number of races we can stage because ideally I would like to see all our runners get a race within the first fortnight of returning. Fortunately we have an additional meeting at Hove, and after a fortnight, we will hopefully be in a position to run 360 dogs per week, instead of 300. That will make a significant difference.”
