Paddy Flood: HRI Given ‘Slap On The Wrist’ by Irish Government After Funding News The Government has given HRI a “slap on the wrist” by freezing its funding of the sport, according to Paddy Flood. Speaking on irishracing.com’s Irish Angle show this week, the former jockey suggested HRI has done little to suggest it warrants more funding. With one-third of HRI’s annual government funding of €79.3 million going on prize money, the news will not do anything to improve both the quality and quantity of races in Ireland. Asked for his views on the news, Flood said: “I don’t think it’s a positive thing. “I think it’s probably a little bit of a slap on the wrist to the regulatory board and HRI — saying, ‘Listen, you’ve got what you’ve got. What are you doing? What’s there to show that you need more money?’ “They had a plan, I know, to increase races. Do we need more racing? Do we really need more racing? Do we need to turn into England and have racing forced down our neck every day of the week? “More all-weather tracks — I presume there’ll be some of them coming down the line. “But have we done anything to warrant more money? What’s the big plan going forward? Or has the government basically said, ‘That’s what you’re spending it on — why do you need more?’ What’s the answer?” ‘Trainers Are Worried’ Racing journalist Johnny Ward explained how prize money staying the same is going to have a negative impact on the quality of the sport in Ireland. He said: “You talk to trainers and they’re universally worried about prize money. “Our prize money is rubbish. It’s really, really bad. “HRI is happy to say it’s kept the minimum level at, whatever, €10,000 a race. “But I’m involved in a horse at the moment, and if you’re at a low level, it’s so unattractive to be involved for the prize money. Everything has gone up. “We’re in a big problem in Ireland. I can’t see how trainers are going to keep encouraging people into the game. “There’s way too much racing as well. Even if you do win a race, there are so many industry meetings now, the trainer mightn’t even be there, there’s no atmosphere. “The whole attraction of being an owner, for me, is kind of gone. No Clear Solution Ward also insisted that there is no reason for prize money for races in Ireland to be at the huge levels seen in the Middle East and Hong Kong. He said: “I just don’t know what the solution is in terms of prize money because the government is already paying nearly half of it. “So what’s the solution here? Maybe prize money shouldn’t be that great. Maybe horses running around a field shouldn’t be running for hundreds of thousands — unless you’re in Dubai or Saudi Arabia, where oil money pays for it, or in Hong Kong where betting funds it. “Maybe it shouldn’t be that big. But I don’t see how, in Ireland, there’s any solution. Bookmakers are losing interest in racing. They’re literally losing interest. “That’s why what William Hill is doing (Each Way Extra Challenge Series) recently is kind of anomalous. “You see the Paddy Power shop closures — bookmakers are really losing interest in racing. “So I don’t see how prize money improves in the short term, and how there’s a plan to have more racing in Ireland. There’s way too much racing. Ask anyone who goes racing — there’s far too much, and surely the solution isn’t to add more. HRI Cannot Keep Up With Five Year Plans irishracing.com editor Vincent Finegan warned that the funding freeze means HRI will not be able to keep its promise of increasing fixtures by 10%. He explained: “We’re now heading into year three, and they haven’t increased it by a single race yet — because they can’t. “There’s no money to increase it, and the horse population isn’t there either. The number of horses in training has been static for a few years.” Watch The Irish Angle In Full: Or Listen On Spotify:
