With interest having read Paul Emphresens recent blog regarding a national syndicate and the £125k it could potentially cost to set it up, I have several reservations.
Firstly I am in total agreement with Paul’s idea and do believe it could be a success, but my fear is that the sport as a whole is undergoing major changes and the project could be better served when greyhound racing is in a more stable position.
Having run the Armchair Syndicates whose members numbers were only second to the very successful Bubbly Club, I now how much hard work goes into making it successful, gaining new members is the easy part, retaining there interest is the hard part.
Many new people to greyhound racing have no idea how the sport is run by the authorities, promoters and trainers.
Before I set up the syndicates I had conversations with the racing offices at the tracks where the dogs would run, the initial response from them was very positive, and most commented it was a great idea, so the syndicates were formed so people could buy shares in dogs that would be shown on RPGTV, as some members like myself it was virtually impossible to go greyhound racing on a regular basis, but this way they could own a dog and still get the pleasure of watching it run.
It was apparent from the start that some tracks i.e Sunderland , Henlow would put the dogs out whenever they could when RPGTV was covering their track which was great for recruiting new members, other tracks Romford and Hove were very unaccommodating even after their initial response was one of supporting the syndicates, our dogs very rarely appeared on RPGTV and were merely used as tools for BAGS contracts.
All tracks need to accommodate all owners whether in syndicates or not, we supply the product on which they operate, if owners cannot see their charges race they soon become disillusioned and lose interest in the sport, that is the hardest part for syndicate heads, keeping them interested but this can only be done with the help from racing managers.
I wish Paul every success in his venture, and everything he is trying to do to make greyhound racing more enjoyable for all owners.
Mark Whittaker
Cornwall
The article on the Henlow future is the best news for greyhound racing for a long time.
Lets hope other tracks are looking to do the same. More prize money, staff being paid more, facilities improved and a more positive outlook.
Some tracks must have pocketed thousands in the past without passing anything on. Good luck to Kevin Boothby.
John Gorton
Via E-mail
