Racecourse protesters force abandonment of
Saint-Cloud meeting
BY SCOTT BURTON 2:12PM 29 OCT 2017
Racing at Saint-Cloud has been abandoned after a group representing trainers, owners and breeders barred the entrance to the parade ring.
The demonstration began after the first race and efforts at mediation between the group's leaders and senior officials from France Galop failed to reach any resolution.
The group, Save Our Racing, is protesting over France Galop's planned €25 million budgetary cuts, which will see a reduction in payments made to cover transport and the rise in VAT, as well as owners' and breeders' premiums.
The track was due to host two Group 1s, the Criterium de Saint-Cloud, which was due off at 1.35pm GMT, and the Criterium International at 2.45pm, both of which had Irish- and British-trained runners.
Aidan O'Brien had a combined five chances to add to his record 26 Group 1 wins this year, while Charlie Appleby, James Tate, Harry Dunlop and Karl Burke were also due to have runners in the showpiece races.
William Haggas and Ed Walker were due to saddle horses in the Group 3 Prix Perth.
Discussions will now take place between racecourse officials and the sport's authorities as to whether the two Group 1 contests, or indeed the whole card, can be staged another time
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