Funding issue clouds success story

The chief executive of Welcome to Yorkshire, the region's official tourism agency, has hailed the positive impact racing has on the area, while issuing a warning about the sport's future.

Gary Verity, speaking at the 'Go Racing in Yorkshire' luncheon, was full of praise for Yorkshire achievements on the track, hailing Mark Johnston's second year of over 200 winners as 'an historic double'.

He also praised Paul Hanagan, the Norton-based rider who lifted the jockeys' championship title for the first time.

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In praising Yorkshire's courses, Verity added: "With the weather on our side, attendances for racing in Yorkshire this year could top one million again.

"As a county we put on a great show and should be proud of our success."

However, Verity was quick to highlight the current funding issues around racing as a possible stumbling block to future successes.

He said: "The industry is facing increasing difficulties with central funding from the Levy Board likely to drop, or, as some might put it, collapse.

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"Additional revenue streams and diversification are the key words for all of us here.

"We will work hard to make next year an even better year for racing in Yorkshire. We want record crowds and to increase attendances across the county."

Retiring Yorkshire Post associate sports editor Bill Bridge received an award for 'services to racing' at the luncheon at York racecourse.

The biggest winners were Hanagan and Richard Fahey, who scooped the awards for leading jockey and trainer in Yorkshire.

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Fahey's Wootton Bassett, ridden by Hanagan for four of his five successes, scooped the prize for Yorkshire's Horse of the Year after his Group One success in the Prix Jean-Luc Legardere on Arc weekend.

Howard Johnson was named top jumps trainer at the trio of Yorkshire course that host National Hunt racing, while his former stable jockey, Denis O'Regan, was named top jumps rider in Yorkshire, claiming the prize for a second time.

Raye Wilkinson, whose Racing Welfare charity works hard to help stable staff and young jockeys, was also presented with an award for his outstanding service to the sport of racing.

History-seeking Denman takes on 18 rivals in the Hennessy Gold Cup at Newbury tomorrow.

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The 2008 Gold Cup winner, trained by Paul Nicholls, is vying to become the first horse to win the prestigious handicap for a third time.

Denman's presence at the summit of the weights at 11st 12lb means just six other runners are in the handicap proper.

Nicholls is responsible for two of those – Neptune Collonges (10st 8lb) and Taranis (10st 4lb) – while China Rock (10st 4lb) is a surprise entry.

Mouse Morris said on Wednesday that the seven-year-old was not firing on every cylinder, and would not be travelling across from Ireland.

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Morris has, nonetheless, given him a provisional engagement after the Grade Two winner has shown signs of improvement over the last 24 hours.

"I declared him just to see what would happen, but at the minute it's 50-50 he'll run," said the County Tipperary handler.

"It's only a minor problem and he's improved since Wednesday, but we're still undecided if he'll actually run or not."

Denman also put the finishing touches to his preparations with a blow-out alongside Big Buck's.

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Nicholls said: "He did his last bit of work and went nicely. I was particularly happy with the way he looked in his coat.

"He's bringing Gold Cup form into the race and Ruby (Walsh) always says to me that's very important.

"Obviously he's going to need a career-best to win this – there are some fantastic horses to give weight to – but I couldn't be happier. He is ready."

Tomorrow's meeting at Newcastle has been abandoned due to snow.