Horse Racing Fantasy Community

I think horse racing should promote it's stars more. The horses should be seen more on t.v. (commercials for upcoming races) and talked up. A race of the week on ESPN, or NBC. An All-Star Jockey challenge (like a baseball all-star game) once a year (ESPN,NBC etc.), where the top 10 jocks of the prior year ride all the races on the card and are given points for 1-2-3 finishes. These things would put the spotlight on the HORSES, and the Riders. People would become more aware of who they are, and perhaps would be attracted more to the sport. Casino's have fattened purses in certain places, but will in the long run-I feel harm racing. Bigger and better (greed) has made it tough for the little guy to make a living as well. PROMOTE THE SPORT - and not the casino and all the million ways to place a wager.

its failing because of off track betting/sports books... the ratings on TV are way down due to lack of mainstream promotion combined with the fact that those that watch the races like the Derby are at the OTB betting it.. the people who used to watch it on TV and give it great ratings are all at off track facilities watching it there and betting on it there

kept it going pretty big--along w/ the great rivalry of AFFIRMED-ALYDAR.. w/ the triple win--along w the contriversial-which it was-"near miss" of SPECTACULAR BID--however, the interest kept alive w/ his race against affirmed along with his underfeated season in 1980..it further got big when SPEND A BUCK looked like he'd take the racing world by storm at one point;when the announced his defection from the preakness--that sure didn't help--like was stated there have been close interests-- even w/ the oncoming of the SEABSCUIT movie in '03;that helped some--but i really believe there's quite a few more factors that have emerged since then.
I will say this new movie on THE SEC that's coming out--this wasvery good timing--never has racing needed this more than now i believe!!~

I dont know what its like in america with all the stupid laws around gambling, But hores racing is thriving in England.
if it is on its way out in america it will be a shame. horse racing in England is not just about going to gamble its a day out that all the family can enjoy with live music and things to keep everyone interested, the women love the dressing up part and the men love the beer. betting is just an add on that can make it more exciting. the kids also love it cos of the horses and the buzz that exist at the racers, some places also have bouncy castles and other kids things. maybe the american goverment should try not running there country like a controlled dictatorship and let people enjoy there lives.

Successive govenance at all levels failing to grasp that the world was changing and that historic and established fabric was no longer applicable or sufficient. An absolute failure to understand that racing is and always will be a participation sport, and not a spectator sport. No participant is going to turn up week after week and get hammered, and beaten by high tax, high take out and facilities that do not reflect modern competitive needs and expectations.
A need to understand and cater for the new social fabric, to bookmark key dates and promote them to youth and cater exclusively to that bookmark. To introduce tuition on handicapping and make it available from experts for free or as part of the entry or entertainment package. Teaching that rewarding participation is to be found like everything alse in life in the learning. It just takes a paradigm shift in thinking from what was OK yesterday to what is necessary tomorrow and then cater to that.
Treat the sport and the people like participants, teach them well on how to participate profitably and they will participate. Where else can you spend a entertaining afternoon, be wined and dined whilst enjoying 6-8 floorshows and be able to participate in these with a newly found handicapping skill, perhaps even pay for the whole experience? With NBA, Nascar, Golf, No..Racing is truly unique in this respect but this small shift in thinking seems beyond most administrators to comprehend.
Look at the model being practiced by the Auckland Racing Club in NZ and see how they are developing a large new participation and growing attendance and turnover. They have completely revamped the " but this is how it has always been" mentality with "this is what the new partipants want so give it to them" mentality. This has meant completely revamping key carnivals, which fabric had remained unchanged for 100years, introducing new carnivals with those historic races in them. Cutting 10 race programmes to 6 races and running them at twilight. The howls of protest from the "out of touch" echoed around the community. But the new managment was committed and the change was relentless and ultimately has turned around the fortunes of a club erstwhile teetering on bankruptcy. Combine that with a political desire to nourish the huge employment, export, entertainment and social role and contribution that Horse Racing plays and the huge financial contribution it makes rather than to simply screw it of all life with exhorbetant tax. Government needs to understand and support the new methodology too, rather than treat the industry as a never ending cash cow. As in all business you have to fatten the cow before you start milking it. Racing is no different.