John Freeman is no a happy chap

John is entitled to his views more than most of us, but imo we need to adapt to the new Racegoers

Thoughts ?

Leading bloodstock man and a top Gr1 owner in his own right, John Freeman has never been a puppet of officialdom. While he has personally played a key role in the evolution of the succesful Snaith team who smashed all records on Met day, he wasn’t raving about the side-show entertainment, that appears to have become the standard on our big days.

John writes in his E-news 561:

I started to write about the disturbing new dimension that has been introduced to top level racing in South Africa a few days ago. I thought I’d leave what I had written and rethink it after the dust had settled. I find this new development of entertainment at race meetings frightening – I was told that I am the only one to have complained.

Full article www.sportingpost.co.za/2016/02/jb-met-20...t-day-rave-disgrace/

Perhaps the question should be asked what the on course turnover was in comparison to previous years on a per head basis? I hear what John has to say and yes the welfare of the horses should take preference over partygoers.

I agree with John but maybe I am getting old ?
Hate this head banging music but I do remember doing much the same at a Cream concert in the late 60s
Plus agree the party should be after racing "if ya dinny eat yir meat, your no getting any puddin "

Most who go to the course these days couldnt care less about the horses, they are only there for the party and alcohol, take the horses away and they would still go. Sign of the times

Just curious, how do they go about major race days in other parts of the World.

Dubai World Cup Night, Melbourne Cup, Kentucky Derby and Breeders Cup, Royal Ascot, Hong Kong QEII Cup and the Arc de Triomphe to name a few springs to mind.

What do these major race days provide for entertainment to the punters?

From an international racing journslist friend of mine who's read the thread


Seeing as I attend some of those race meetings mentioned I guess I should reply.

Dubai WC the music party is after the last with headline acts.

Royal Ascot has no music what so every during day . It is about racing. There is however a singalong at the bandstand after the last.

HK international races. No music. Acts such as acrobats on the parade ring during opening ceremony.

Singapore international no music but fireworks and a carnival type display during opening ceremony.

Melbourne has music/ performers such as Andrea Bochelli in the individual marquees.

The cox plate once had a DJ to play between races. There was vitriol thrown at the organisers as his song's last bars were still playing as the horses came out on parade for the main race. One or two danced a little so that was the end of the music.

So basically around the world it is all about the horse and all about the racing.

Ps Arc no music either.

Sad as it may be if the party is stopped you will be down to 10 000 people at the met in five years.

It's a Rush: Press Release
Subject: J&B Met day noise complaints addressed
Date: 5 February 2016


Kenilworth Racing have reacted swiftly to complaints the music had been too
loud after the main race in some sections of the racecourse on J&B Met day
thereby affecting the demeanour of some of the horses as they made their
way down to the start.

The racing operator said the safety of horse and rider was of overriding
importance at all times on any given raceday and security measures would be
put in place to ensure control.
They apologised to connections of horses who might have been affected.

The Met attracts a social crowd who are there for both the racing and the
party, so a balance must be found whereby both tastes can be satisfied.
However, the racing operator said it had never been their intention to
compromise the safety of horse and rider in achieving this balance.
Therefore they were concerned to hear of the complaints and have treated it
with high importance.

Measures to prevent a repeat will be part of the planning for all future
J&B Met days.

The J&B Met was up 15% on attendance year on year and achieved an all new
record for oncourse tote turnover.

mr hawaii wrote: Sad as it may be if the party is stopped you will be down to 10 000 people at the met in five years.

Better 10,000 racegoers /punters than 30,000 partygoers who never a saw a horse all day!

This was my objection to the "its a rush" plan from day one .............racing needs to assess what racing really needs before just embarking on a marketing strategy!

rob faux wrote:

mr hawaii wrote: Sad as it may be if the party is stopped you will be down to 10 000 people at the met in five years.

Better 10,000 racegoers /punters than 30,000 partygoers who never a saw a horse all day!

This was my objection to the "its a rush" plan from day one .............racing needs to assess what racing really needs before just embarking on a marketing strategy!

Turnover was up according to the release -

mr hawaii wrote:

rob faux wrote:

mr hawaii wrote: Sad as it may be if the party is stopped you will be down to 10 000 people at the met in five years.

Better 10,000 racegoers /punters than 30,000 partygoers who never a saw a horse all day!

This was my objection to the "its a rush" plan from day one .............racing needs to assess what racing really needs before just embarking on a marketing strategy!

Turnover was up according to the release -

That's feasible as there are additional racegoers, from around the country,attending ............statistics need relativity to be meaningful.........................do you think the turnover was up proportionately to the total attendance ..................I think not!

rob faux wrote:

mr hawaii wrote:

rob faux wrote:

mr hawaii wrote: Sad as it may be if the party is stopped you will be down to 10 000 people at the met in five years.

Better 10,000 racegoers /punters than 30,000 partygoers who never a saw a horse all day!

This was my objection to the "its a rush" plan from day one .............racing needs to assess what racing really needs before just embarking on a marketing strategy!

Turnover was up according to the release -

That's feasible as there are additional racegoers, from around the country,attending ............statistics need relativity to be meaningful.........................do you think the turnover was up proportionately to the total attendance ..................I think not!

I don't know - if it was up 15% then brilliant - I wish that data was published.