21st February 2000
Lord Burns,
P.O. Box 31010,
LONDON.
SW1H 9ZL
Dear Sir,
Inquiry Into Hunting With Dogs
I write in connection with the above as Managing Director of Doncaster Bloodstock Sales Ltd. (D.B.S.) who are Auctioneers and Valuers of Thoroughbred Racehorses. D.B.S. conducts some twelve auctions per annum selling in the region of 3,000 horses. Approximately half of our business is devoted to National Hunt racehorses and breedingstock and, as such, we are the leading National Hunt Auctioneers in the country.
A ban on hunting with dogs would directly impact the trade in National Hunt horses as the hunting field is very important to both Point-to-Point and National Hunt Racing.
Over the past three years, D.B.S. has sold around 200 horses with point-to-point experience for in the region of £1,000,000. Point-to-Pointers have realised up to 91,000 guineas (£95,550) in the Doncaster Sales Ring with a huge number each year making 30,000 guineas (£31,500) or over. Were hunting to be banned, this market would disappear overnight. In addition, D.B.S. sells large numbers of National Hunt youngstock - mares, foals, yearlings, two year olds, three year olds and four year olds who advance, through the hunting field, to Point-to-Point and National Hunt racing. One of the most famous horses running in National Hunt races at present is the 1999 Cheltenham Gold Cup winner and current market leader for this year*s race, SEE MORE BUSINESS. He was sold at the Doncaster Spring Sales in May 1994 for 5600 guineas (£5880) and progressed to National Hunt racing through the Point-to-Point field. Other recent examples of top-class horses to graduate from the hunting field are EARTHMOVER, DOUBLE THRILLER, TEETON MILL etc.
A destruction of this trade, which a hunting ban would precipitate, would have a direct impact on British National Hunt Breeders as a huge part of their potential market would be destroyed. At present, British breeders are at a huge fiscal disadvantage to their main competitors in Ireland and I am convinced that a hunting ban would force large numbers out of business. In summary, a hunting ban would adversely affect British National Hunt Breeders, the British National Hunt Sales Market and Doncaster Bloodstock Sales Ltd.
I hope that you feel the above is relevant to your inquiry but please do not hesitate to contact me if we can provide any further information.
Yours faithfully,
HENRY G. BEEBY Managing Director
24/05/00
Date uploaded to site 1 June 2000