ED CHAMBERLIN: Racing needs the spirit of Bazball! Numbers alone don’t mean everything is fine – it’s critical for the sport to move with the times


  • Cheltenham is expected to do better on ITV than Champions Day at Ascot did
  • It is, however important that we are dynamic in coming months to shape future 
  • The beauty of what we see on course on racing days out should be emplasised

For the most important winter campaign in many years, racing must summon the spirit of Bazball and get on the front foot.

The popularity of jump racing remains high and it’s why ITV will get a bigger audience for Saturday afternoon’s fixture at Cheltenham than we did for Champions Day at Ascot last weekend.

That is no slight on Ascot. The atmosphere was exceptional and the contests were of the highest class, but there is something about seeing horses power over fences that captivates us. Saturday’s card might be low-key but people will be glued to the coverage.

But numbers alone don’t mean we can all think things are fine. For National Hunt to flourish, it’s critical it moves with the times. And the reason I began with the cricket analogy is because it’s imperative we are dynamic in the coming months to shape the future.

When I look back at last season, it’s hard not to remember the negativity that, at times, felt all-consuming. The Cheltenham Festival is the pinnacle but there was ambivalence before it began then defensiveness during it, with questions about racing’s social licence.

Numbers alone don't mean we can think things are fine - racing needs the spirit of Bazball

Numbers alone don’t mean we can think things are fine – racing needs the spirit of Bazball

The popularity of jump racing remains high and why ITV will get a big audience for Saturday afternoon's fixture at Cheltenham

The popularity of jump racing remains high and why ITV will get a big audience for Saturday afternoon’s fixture at Cheltenham

There is something about seeing horses power over fences that captivates us - which is why it will do better than Ascot - but we must move with the times

There is something about seeing horses power over fences that captivates us – which is why it will do better than Ascot – but we must move with the times

Why? We should be emphasising the beauty of what we see on course and that racing is a great day out. One of the abiding images from Ascot was the sight of so many young people enjoying themselves.

Dominic Matcham, the owner of the company Invades, played a huge role in this. He has a similar swashbuckling approach to life as England cricketer Ben Stokes in that he realises nothing will happen if you stand there waiting for it. He came up with the idea to work with racecourses to get a young crowd in.

There were almost 30,000 at Ascot, a significant number of whom were there thanks to Invades. What a difference it made to the energy. Everyone was welcomed with open arms and I hope that’s the case at Cheltenham on Saturday. The customer experience is key.

Critics of Cheltenham say we talk about the Festival from the first leaves of autumn falling, but that is nonsense.

It will barely get a mention on ITV, as we flow from big days at jumping heartlands all the way to the King George on Boxing Day. It’s a hugely popular run of fixtures.

Trainers to play their part - there is an importance of winning but it's also important to sell the product

Trainers to play their part – there is an importance of winning but it’s also important to sell the product

The popularity extends to the wonderful midweek afternoons at places such as Hexham, Ludlow and Exeter. This is where we need trainers to play their part — Stokes loves winning but knows the importance of selling a Test match.

We can’t have a situation where top horses avoid each other. That helps nobody. The ingredients are there to create magic. Those who run the sport must realise it’s time to be proud of what we have — and promote it accordingly.



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