Over the stable door: Cuts that will be kind in long run

A move which may prove unpopular, but has been overdue after a decline in revenue within the betting industry over the last decade.

The BHA relies on Levy Board money, 10 per cent of bookmakers' annual profits, which is used to fund all race meetings. Major cuts have had to be made, primarily in prize money, which will see a drop of 29 per cent in 2011 to 37m. An embarrassing amount when compared to other countries. The number of horses in training is falling for the first time in years and, according to a trainer recently, "spectators are bored".

The industry is in terminal decline. While it is important to encourage bums on seats in the betting shops to keep up revenue levels, a sub standard level of racing has become acceptable in order to keep the punters occupied in the twilight hours – meetings held between 5pm and 7.30pm, purely to fill a gap in the gambling market.

It is a vicious circle. There needs to be clarity between the top level of the sport and the likes of Wolverhampton in order to revamp public support. To compete with France, America and the Far East, we must uphold the class of animal we breed and produce so capably. For this, owners need incentives, prize money playing a key role.

However tough it may be for some courses to cope with, or for smaller trainers like myself, streamlining the racing calendar is necessary. The BHA has taken the first stormy steps, although there is much further to sail before we are back in safe waters.

On the social front, I have decided to organise a party later in the summer with my brother Tom. He has friends who never made it to his wedding and my excuse is I rode my 50th winner last year. It is some years since our last shindig as the neighbours may remember.

The first time was when I won the Yorkshire title. It was a casual affair, just a marquee, disco, well-stocked bar complete with five gallons of imported vodka donated by a Russian stable lad and five young donkeys from Bridlington for the surprise Donkey Derby.

The vodka (which I later suspected to be ethanol) tasted like paint stripper, so I had to dilute it in a fruity punch quickly devoured by the 150 guests. It worked incredibly well in loosening everyone up for the Donkey Derby. Half the guests rode horses for a living, so I had requested unbroken donkeys to add to the fun.

The course was set up in the paddock. Competitors were to steer their mounts round the track in head collars and reins alone. The donkeys loved it, setting off in all directions at full pelt when the flag was lowered, only to slam on the brakes pitching their riders into nearby hedges, or trotting back to the crowd with a flailing jockey incapable

of steering.

One particular Olympic eventer proved unbeatable and won the final to cheers from a euphorically intoxicated audience. There were casualties. Always the entertainer, MW Easterby decided he should like a try and picked an attractive blonde to throw him aboard the fastest donkey. He fell straight off the other side. All caught on film, so unfortunately he can never deny it.

Not quite sure what to entertain the guests with this time. But it'll need to be something pretty spectacular to better the last one.

Jo Foster trains horses at Brookleigh Farm, Menston.

CW 10/7/10