Dear Sir
On behalf of Cheltenham Racecourse, I would ask that the following points are taken into account when considering this matter:
1. The National Hunt Festival which we stage over three days in March will this year be an "all ticket" event with 50,000 attending each day. It comprises 20 steeplechases/hurdle races with prize money in excess of £1.5million. 5,000 people are estimated to travel from Ireland for the event which generates betting turnover on course of over £20million with turnover off course estimated at over £200million.
2. Around 10% of the more than 400 horses competing in the races will have gained experience in point to point races. Approximately 20% of the riders will also have graduated from point to point racing. Of the 200 or so point to point meetings staged each year, 90% are organised by local hunts. A significant number of these might be lost if hunting ceased.
3. Once National Hunt horses have finished their racing career, approximately 40% go hunting and compete in point to point races. If these opportunities were to be removed, it is likely that there would be less encouragement for people to breed horses for National Hunt Racing and there would be a negative effect on the competitive nature of the sport.
4. In research carried out in November 1999, 25% of those who attended one of our major race days said that they take part in hunting. This represents a very significant portion of our customers who are attracted to racing at Cheltenham as part of a general interest in horses, hunting and country pursuits.
5. Given the evidence listed above, we would estimate that there is a risk that a ban on hunting could lead to a significant decrease in the interest and the availability of horses and riders to compete in National Hunt Racing which could have a detrimental effect of between 10% and 25% of current levels.
Please contact me if you would like to discuss this matter further.
E W Gillespie
Managing Director
Date uploaded to site 1 June 2000