Racing industry a winner with £230m-a-year boost to economy

The sport’s financial importance is revealed by a landmark new report that assesses the impact of racing throughout the county.

The study will be used to ensure that local authority decision-makers are aware of the sport’s significance as the area’s nine racecourses look to diversify, and when making decisions that impinge upon the future of the historic Middleham and Malton training centres.

Instigated by Go Racing In Yorkshire – now in its 35th year – and the region’s tourist leaders, its publication precedes the nine-day Yorkshire Racing Festival that begins at Ripon this Saturday.

One of a series of collaborative ventures between the region’s nine racecourse, it is designed to boost crowd levels still further – and even includes Blondie performing live at York after its meeting on the night of Friday July 22.

Speaking ahead of the report’s publication today at the Great Yorkshire Show, Go Racing chairman Simon Channon said it was “vital” that the sport had such statistics to back up the business case when racetracks, trainers and others seek to attract new investment, sponsors and supporters.

“Figures have been bandied about for years, but no one had a realistic idea until now,” he said. “Racing does play an important part in Yorkshire economic life and one hopes that the message is not lost on potential, future or existing supporters.”

Though the data – compiled by Sheffield Hallam University – applies to the 2009 season, it, nevertheless, provides a valid snapshot of the industry and how the sport in Yorkshire is bucking the national trend with regard to attendance and prize money – two crucial indicators.

Overall, 936,246 spectators attended Yorkshire’s meetings in 2009. The average number of spectators per meeting, at 5,606 people, exceeded the national average by more than 1,500 racegoers.

Furthermore, prize money at race meetings in the county was, again, ahead of the national average, though this is skewed by the sums on offer at York and Doncaster – two of the country’s best tracks and which are reaping the rewards of major improvements.

Their popularity contributed, in part, to the £30m a year now spent by racegoers on off-course activities such as transport, meals and hotel stays.

“Racing is important to Yorkshire and Yorkshire is important to racing,” said York’s chief executive William Derby, speaking after last Saturday’s John Smith’s Cup card attracted a crowd in excess of 40,000 people.

“We need to make sure that people have a fantastic experience and that we are offering value for money. You never reach the finishing line; it is a continuing process.

“We need to share learning and recognise that the raceday experience means different things to different people from the great racing and great races at the heart of our sport, the interests of spectators wanting a memorable day out and the fashion industry - whether it be our milliners or companies hiring out fancy dress suits.

“We are putting our hands up and saying this is something that Yorkshire can be proud of.”

Sharing best practice, he said, was critical to the sport continuing to prosper – such as York’s revamped website that makes it easier for racegoers to book tickets in advance.

That view was echoed by Welcome to Yorkshire, sponsors of next month’s Ebor festival. Chief executive Gary Verity said: “Horse racing is a success story that we should all get behind.”

However leading National Hunt trainer Ferdy Murphy issued a word of warning. While welcoming the report, the West Witton handler said the prize money had to be maintained – and that this should be racing’s priority. “You have to look at it from the point of view of owners,” he said.

“They pay the bills to keep the sport going.”