RA AGM

Just returned from the RA AGM. Things are looking up in Gauteng, we have turned the corner, in my humble opinion. (The recent Summer Cup was FANTASTIC).... Some news -

For 2011/2012 season, the following:-

1)Stake pot increase of R10M (from R153M to R163M)
2)2157 races carded, as opposed to 2115 run in previous year.
3)Off Season Stakes to be returned to normal.
4)Increase in the number of split races from 33 to 40
5)Maiden Plate stakes increase from R70k to R75k.
6)Low Grade meetings to be phased out by May, 2012, to be replaced by normal meetings, normal stakes.

Overall, lots of questions about WC deal etc. Even a sceptic (and nobody's fool) like St John had his questions and concerns answered. As for my own concerns, re maintaining standards in Gauteng, whilst developing WC, the answers were satisfactory. For instance, the ancient escalators at Turff that keep on breaking down, will be replaced. Apparently R5M has been set aside for the project.

As for WC, it is mind boggling that they have not had the benefits of Soccer Six etc. The potential to develop their market is huge ! For instance, our Gauteng Gross Stakes Pot is actually R178M, then jocks riding fees (R11M), Academy fees (R3,3M) and Trainers Benevolent (R560k) are deducted, to give us our R163M Stakes pot. Of that R178M Gross Stakes Pot, only R86,2M comes from Local turnover!!! The rest comes from PGL's other activities. The WC will surely grow, under PGL and it's other activities !

I understood the point that we could not afford to lose the International revenue, which we would if we lost the 80 odd meetings a year of WC, which is why PGL have stepped in. We are contractually bound to give a certain amount of meetings to International or incurr heavy penalties. There is no way that PGL and KZN could add another 80 odd meetings. The contribution to our Gross Stakes pot of R178M from International is R31M plus the GC and Int Royalties of R14M. This is why the wellbeing and development of WC is so important to us all. We dont lose the R45M from International and they (WC) gain from PGL's other bets.

Thats brilliant news in this financial climate (tu)

Of course Cape Town has the soccer 6.

Imo I will not take a trainer who seems to spend more time on forums than looking after the horses he s being paid to look after seriously,on sfrw its like a fight of the mad renegades ,"Loius imho stick to training unless you have ambitions to be a racing politician,cos I can gaurantee you that your tirades are putting potential new owners off

soodum Wrote:

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> Imo I will not take a trainer who seems to spend
> more time on forums than looking after the horses
> he s being paid to look after seriously,on sfrw
> its like a fight of the mad renegades ,"Loius imho
> stick to training unless you have ambitions to be
> a racing politician,cos I can gaurantee you that
> your tirades are putting potential new owners off


He is a breath of fresh air imo,most trainers you only hear from them at months end...

@soodum

And we have no Trainers Association, because all are scared... Yet, the greatest respect a Trainer can give to his Owners, is to stand up for them and their rights, keep them informed and fight for them.... And it is better to allow horses to work on tracks that will break them down rather than to get up and do something... Its better that a Trainer doesnt set up the Grooms HIV awareness and assistance programme... etc etc Better to let "someone else" do it...or live in the HOPE that someone else may....Yeah, right.

Yeah, a lot less hassle ! The easy way out. I am obviously the one Trainer who is NOT for you. That's life.

@ louis

So the top yards like mdk,sean tarry,mike bass,snaith dnt look after their grooms and dnt fight for owners rights?

I dnt see those yards crying for justice on forums,maybe their results speak volumes for their achievements

So-DUMB

soodum Wrote:

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> @ louis
>
> So the top yards like mdk,sean tarry,mike
> bass,snaith dnt look after their grooms and dnt
> fight for owners rights?
>
> I dnt see those yards crying for justice on
> forums,maybe their results speak volumes for their
> achievements


if they shared we wouldn't have to guess....i think we need more contributions from trainers and jockeys on this forum, big ups louisg.....

keniza999 Wrote:

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> soodum Wrote:
>

---

>

---

> > @ louis
> >
> > So the top yards like mdk,sean tarry,mike
> > bass,snaith dnt look after their grooms and dnt
> > fight for owners rights?
> >
> > I dnt see those yards crying for justice on
> > forums,maybe their results speak volumes for
> their
> > achievements
>
>
> if they shared we wouldn't have to guess....i
> think we need more contributions from trainers and
> jockeys on this forum, big ups louisg.....

+1

Louise thanks for the feedback on the RA AGM,i hope it is all positive,but i dont think so,been around long enough , too see all the skeletons fall out of the closet,hope im wrong though.

Soodum, you don't seem to have too many positive things to say about anything. Are you really a racing fan??

LouisG, you are doing a fantastic job. The other numpties out there can learn a thing or two from you!!!