Standardbred Breeding and Utilization Report What is the future of our industry/sport

[Messenger]

Despite the title this does not belong in just the breeding forum.

I have continued to have contact with Ray Chaplin whom many contacted after reading the thread

Why has HRA not supported a National Owners forum to discuss major issues
http://www.harnessracingforum.com/showthread.php?6270-Why-has-HRA-not-supported-a-National-Owners-forum-to-discuss-major-issues

Ray has sent me another report on 'Standardbred Breeding and Utilization'.
I find it staggering that this report was also forwarded to HRA but Ray never even received acknowledgement of receipt

I have copied some closing paragraphs from the report but for those that are interested in a good read I am sure Ray would once again be happy to email you the whole report if you contact him at
contact@equineexcellence.biz
and ask for his report on Standardbred Breeding and Utilization

Study Conclusions
There is a serious and ongoing decline trend in the number of live foals being bred in the USA; Canada; New Zealand and Australia
The underlying reason for this is a lack of demand for Standardbred yearlings as a result of a serious decline in the numbers of “high value” customers who wish to remain in or become involved in harness racing at owner and breeder level
This situation is worsening and if left unresolved will result in the ultimate demise of the harness racing industry as a viable professional sport in these countries
......
Likely Outcome
This report suggests that the future prosperity of harness racing in North America, New Zealand and Australia is inherently linked to the ability of the industry leaders in each country to be able to significantly increase the awareness, attendance, interest and commitment to becoming involved in the sport at an owner and breeder level (“high value customers”)
If this strategic objective cannot be achieved other initiatives related to better utilization of the foal crop, stimulus measures to increase wagering and associated revenues and new revenue streams (Racinos) will not be sufficient to halt the decline of the sport which has been evident for the past three decades
The single most important factor the industry must address
Harness Racing in North America, New Zealand and Australia has historically been managed from an “inward industry” perspective with industry “wants” and not customer “needs” being at the centre of executive decision making
The most important factor the industry must immediately address is to become genuinely “customer focussed”

[jackthepunter]

Was this in the first report ray made or is this a new one

[Messenger]

This is an earlier one (2013) and has a lot of different content Jack

[trish]

I put all the above down to people cheating. We had a conversation with a high profile employee of HRNSW who said "I'm not silly/stupid I can see the writing on the wall".

[jackthepunter]

I put all the above down to people cheating. We had a conversation with a high profile employee of HRNSW who said "I'm not silly/stupid I can see the writing on the wall".

whos that directed at ??

[Messenger]

Of course there is increased entertainment competition nowadays but I do think we have not done enough to win our share by being 'customer focussed' as Ray puts it.
What I find scary is whether anyone is listening. Ray may have alienated some of the hierarchy by listing what he sees as some monumental mistakes but for him to not even to have received acknowledgement of receiving this report is a clear indication of a person not doing their job - I do not know whether that is a secretary or the CEO

[trish]

Anyone who chooses to cheat. They are ruining the industry. Hope we're not on different planets here!

[Mitch]

Integrity is definitely a critical factor in the future prosperity of harness racing.

The other major conundrum that administrators face is the hobbyist element of the sport. Many say it is (hobbyist) critical to the development and fabric of the sport, but it is also a large reason why punters steer clear due to the unpredictability of investing your money on a horse trained and/or driven by a 'part timer'. I see both sides of the fence and it's something I personally find hard to balance and rationalise in my own mind. My grandfather is a hobbyist and harness racing has been a massive part of his life for 50 years, yet as someone who loves to bet I rarely bet on a harness race, except for feature meetings, due to the unpredictability of horse & driver form.

I also feel that integrity and 'hobbyists' are extricably linked in many ways as well. Not as much from a prohibited substances usage perspective but more so from a racing perspective.

If increasing awareness, attendance & interest is critical to the future prosperity of the sport and harness racing is competing for a bigger slice of the wagering pie that is dominated by other sports which are extremely professional in their nature, then I keep coming back to the role of the hobbyist vs the professional.

I know this is a controversial and emotional topic but what do others think?

[jackthepunter]

Anyone who chooses to cheat. They are ruining the industry. Hope we're not on different planets here! no any thing drug related I think the the industry is completely weak and inconsistent on, so same planet 100%yes

[jackthepunter]

Of course there is increased entertainment competition nowadays but I do think we have not done enough to win our share by being 'customer focussed' as Ray puts it.
What I find scary is whether anyone is listening. Ray may have alienated some of the hierarchy by listing what he sees as some monumental mistakes but for him to not even to have received acknowledgement of receiving this report is a clear indication of a person not doing their job - I do not know whether that is a secretary or the CEO
the reason their don't want to know about it because most of these ceo's and peoples on these boards and pig headed egomaniacs who only get their jobs because they know someone or their father does. Most IMO are unqualified, lack basic people skills and businesses management. Most of the ceo's especially the one here in Victoria, have never managed a business this size and have no time for the people in it. As far as participantion, harness racing has been as always Will be driven by Hobbyist. You can see the results in Victoria under our great ceo, what's happens when you close country tracks you alienated entire areas, as a result we know have less trainers,drivers,owners and less horse beening bread. Every action has a reaction.

[Messenger]

Integrity is definitely a critical factor in the future prosperity of harness racing.

The other major conundrum that administrators face is the hobbyist element of the sport. Many say it is (hobbyist) critical to the development and fabric of the sport, but it is also a large reason why punters steer clear due to the unpredictability of investing your money on a horse trained and/or driven by a 'part timer'. I see both sides of the fence and it's something I personally find hard to balance and rationalise in my own mind. My grandfather is a hobbyist and harness racing has been a massive part of his life for 50 years, yet as someone who loves to bet I rarely bet on a harness race, except for feature meetings, due to the unpredictability of horse & driver form.

I also feel that integrity and 'hobbyists' are extricably linked in many ways as well. Not as much from a prohibited substances usage perspective but more so from a racing perspective.

If increasing awareness, attendance & interest is critical to the future prosperity of the sport and harness racing is competing for a bigger slice of the wagering pie that is dominated by other sports which are extremely professional in their nature, then I keep coming back to the role of the hobbyist vs the professional.

I know this is a controversial and emotional topic but what do others think?

I will try and keep 'on thread' as I fear this may be more a topic for a separate thread
If we are to be customer focussed we must listen to their concerns but if you read the report that this thread is about it addresses the fact that the customers need horses to bet on
I see owners as customers too really
Don't you think that the 'awareness, attendance & interest' that you list as critical is fostered my country towns all around the country having locals involved. Don't most of the big pros start off as small hics even in the gallopers. The next pro like Cramp or Weir can come from anywhere. I really fear we have too many eggs in the Melton and Menangle baskets because if we think centralization is the answer well they are not even Melbourne and Sydney suburbs. Do you think they are the answer Mitch?

If you read either of Ray Chaplin's reports that I have linked on this and other threads you will see it is a much bigger problem than the punting dollar. My thread from a couple of months back about how we get more of the punting $ ended up showing that (I believe) and if you read some of the post by Danno and co. I think it answers your pro v hobbyist question too Mitch

[Mitch]

Kev,

Please don't think I am proposing this conundrum because I want to get rid of hobbyists,that's not my intent. In fact I am quite the opposite of that.

What I am keen to discuss further, be it in this thread or a separate one, is the role of the hobbyist and the role of the professional so that attendance, participation and interest can be increased with the overall outcome being that more money is wagered on harness racing.

I don't have the answer for how to do this, I have some ideas and I'm sure others do as well hence the reason for raising it.

At the moment I don't think enough is being done to leverage either.

[trish]

I had a conversation yesterday with a few others , one professional, two hobbyist's & we all agreed that we are sick of the cheats first & formost. I know I harp on about it , but when we work our horses at the track or meet people at the shops , that's what EVERYONE talks about and hates . The honest people have become cannon fodder . If you get rid of the hobbyist , harness racing will go down quicker than the Titanic and they are being driven out faster than an EH with triple Webbers , I can count on one hand the professionals in the Hunter Valley. It's always been a hobbyist based sport . As a breeder we all breed with the hope and intention of breeding that next top horse , but why would you bother when you know that you have no hope because your honest . Professionalism starts at the top . Have you seen the way owners and breeders are treated at the gallops ?

[jackthepunter]

I will try and keep 'on thread' as I fear this may be more a topic for a separate thread
If we are to be customer focussed we must listen to their concerns but if you read the report that this thread is about it addresses the fact that the customers need horses to bet on
I see owners as customers too really
Don't you think that the 'awareness, attendance & interest' that you list as critical is fostered my country towns all around the country having locals involved. Don't most of the big pros start off as small hics even in the gallopers. The next pro like Cramp or Weir can come from anywhere. I really fear we have too many eggs in the Melton and Menangle baskets because if we think centralization is the answer well they are not even Melbourne and Sydney suburbs. Do you think they are the answer Mitch?

If you read either of Ray Chaplin's reports that I have linked on this and other threads you will see it is a much bigger problem than the punting dollar. My thread from a couple of months back about how we get more of the punting $ ended up showing that (I believe) and if you read some of the post by Danno and co. I think it answers your pro v hobbyist question too Mitch
that's what I was on about in my previous post Kev about closing all those country tracks and the affect its now having years later

[trish]

Your spot on Jack . I was giving this topic a lot of thought and came up with the conclusion that Professionals have no option but to stay and try and grow in this sport ,that's their job , while the hobbyist , who outnumbers the professional , can pull up stumps at any time and wave goodbye . The hobbyist is the one you have to try and entice back . unfortunately the focus is all about the pro's .

[trish]

Does anyone know how many applications have been forwarded for stables at Menangle's proposed training facility ????????

[Mitch]

Trish, I am 100% aligned with you regarding integrity! it must underpin everything in the sport.

Further, I think having a high quality, competitive and integral professional component is the key to growing the hobbyist and grass roots aspect of harness racing. If harness racing had a really strong professional element to the sport which attracted strong wagering investment this would give the sport the necessary resources to develop the grass roots element of the sport and sustain the hobbyist core.

Look at the AFL. Without a successful premier, professional competition the resources would not be there to do all of the development that happens at grass roots and amateur level. The VFL became the AFL because for the sport to prosper and grow that was the necessary evolution required. At time it created a lot controversy and the evolution of the AFL continuously creates controversy but look at how successful it has become. Harness racing hasn't evolved not nearly quickly enough and that's why it's in the situation it is. Too many people are too comfortable with the status quo or not willing to make the hard decisions.

To get this right it may mean we have to go backwards before be go forwards in certain areas, but without a high quality professional component to our sport we are on borrowed time.

And I repeat I want the hobbyist element to be as strong as everyone else does forever!

[jackthepunter]

Trish, I am 100% aligned with you regarding integrity! it must underpin everything in the sport.

Further, I think having a high quality, competitive and integral professional component is the key to growing the hobbyist and grass roots aspect of harness racing. If harness racing had a really strong professional element to the sport which attracted strong wagering investment this would give the sport the necessary resources to develop the grass roots element of the sport and sustain the hobbyist core.

Look at the AFL. Without a successful premier, professional competition the resources would not be there to do all of the development that happens at grass roots and amateur level. The VFL became the AFL because for the sport to prosper and grow that was the necessary evolution required. At time it created a lot controversy and the evolution of the AFL continuously creates controversy but look at how successful it has become. Harness racing hasn't evolved not nearly quickly enough and that's why it's in the situation it is. Too many people are too comfortable with the status quo or not willing to make the hard decisions.

To get this right it may mean we have to go backwards before be go forwards in certain areas, but without a high quality professional component to our sport we are on borrowed time.

And I repeat I want the hobbyist element to be as strong as everyone else does forever!
this is why i get so angrey at some ceo's and boards because it though thier miss management of money and understanding of what the participants want and need thats killing the sport. if you want more professionals and more owners to buy more horses and bred better ones it all comes down to money. these people in charge need to move heaven and earth and find a way for a massive increase in base prize money,because thats where 99% of horses race. ill give you a hot tip
no ones making any money when u win a race at get 3000 prizemoney it doesnt even cover what it cost to get that horse to the races for that prep.

[trish]

Hi Mitch . All I know , for sure , is that if everyone that I know thought that they were competing on a level playing field they would stay and most would expand their interest in harness racing . Simple truth

[Mister JayKO]

I am realistically no longer involved aside as a casual punter, many reasons but ultimately integrity is the main issue. Ray Chaplin is a fine man but this work is not a new concept, wastage has been big factor in standardbred breeding for many years but bottom line - the returns on breeding a foal just aren't there. I once sat on a Committee with Ray many moons ago but he has been beating his head against a brick wall for many, many years and as others gave pointed out the politics and self interest will ensure that it never gets resolved.

The hobbyist v professional debate is secondary in my opinion, the major factor IMO that turns off the high rolling owner is integrity. Recently I attended a footy club reunion where I came across a former high profile owner. Neither of us are now actively involved, but he was on a much bigger scale than I ever was. I probed him as to why and ultimately it came down too many negative experiences most involving drugs and shady deals, this guy spent big money and had involvement with high profile and less than honourable stables but ultimately it was no longer fun and so he stopped spending big at the sales and now has no involvement.

The sport is virtually invisible in the mainstream media and that position is irretrievable. Look at all the racing journos that are now spruikers for the tab?

If going to the track is no longer what it was, how do you turn that around? The only way you can is actually go back to the past and re engage with the grass roots hobbyists and try and build it from the bottom again and make sure that the base is solid. A house built on faulty foundations is sure to fall.

[Messenger]

I don't think anyone, Ray included, is saying Ray's work is a new concept but God bless him for still trying Stu.
The racing journos have always been spruikers for the gallopers first and foremost.
I do not for one minute think they are any cleaner than us.
Yep lets build from basics and get interest but although we are playing in 2nd division now, I don't think we can afford to go back to 3rd division.
No inner city tracks in Melbourne and Sydney seems to be a mind boggling handicap if you are considering entertainment revenue.
But we just have to be smarter. Maybe we can get old mate Dennis to build a railway out to the growth corridor Melton and we will run Trots trains - like going to the Showies :D

[Messenger]

http://www.harnesslink.com/New-Zealand/Financial-support-for-breeders

One of the most pressing issues for people involved in the harness racing industry in New Zealand is what are we going to do to address the continuing decline in the number of mares bred.
Many participants in the industry have a various rationale for the reasons for the decline which has seen the number of mares bred last breeding season drop back to levels last experienced in the late 1960s.
On the racing side of the industry a lot of time and effort has gone into getting better utilization of our racing stock and progress has been made.
Our two major clubs have made great strides in recent times with regards to stake levels and returns to the industry.
However on the breeding side of the industry the core issue for breeders of affordability continues to languish in the too hard basket.
The chances of the average New Zealand breeder returning a profit on their foal/foals has continued to decline over the last 20 years as costs have risen far quicker than returns.
The commercial side of the breeding industry has held up reasonably well to a point but the hobby breeder who sends one or two mares to stud each year are starting to resemble 21st century moas.
The reason that it is so important to keep numbers up overall is the position of harness racing in the New Zealand gambling market
.................................................. .........

http://www.harnesslink.com/New-Zealand/Financial-support-for-breeders

[Messenger]

I wonder whether the small numbers we are seeing in 3yo races of late, is relevant to this discussion?

[Richard prior]

You just might be right Kev, Have spoken to a couple of proprietor's at insemination stations in the last week or so and one particular person mentioned that Alabar's numbers were down by 30% and they had only inseminated 1 mare with Bettor's Delight, The other place has a heap of mares running around , Maybe 30 or 40 and 98% were trotting mares and only 2 mares had been served by Pacing stallions.

[Messenger]

Rich, I too had someone tell me how breeding in their region had dried up. Studmasters would have to been contacting HRA, HRV, HRNSW surely. I was also told that foal numbers was not on the agenda of an 'industry issues' presentation to country clubs - maybe it is on another agenda

[Amlin]

This may be appropriate to here or the MM thread but an excellent article on betting and coverage of last night's Mile by Matt Nicholls - melbourneracing.com.au




http://melbourneracing.com.au/article.php?current_article=6694&force=Y

[Messenger]

http://melbourneracing.com.au/article.php?current_article=6694&force=Y

Some quotes:

Another feature harness racing event, another disappointing effort from Sky Racing.

That is a disgrace and there should be an investigation as to why the tote turnover dropped by such a large per cent.

Sky Racing, which is controlled by Tabcorp, must step in and boost its coverage of harness racing if it wants the trots to survive.
Or maybe, just maybe, the reason why its coverage of harness racing is so pathetic is because the head honchos don't actually want it to survive.

Wouldn't you love to hear from someone in authority on this article

[Messenger]

I am thinking that 110 people at the Victorian Breeders Awards night does not sound like boom times

http://www.harness.org.au/news-article.cfm?news_id=25083