The dream team that was full of promises has destroyed an industry, got rid of the limited skills and expertise that kept the industry ticking over and concocted a plan to close the door on a credible a experienced international racing operator from the UK.
There were grandstanding announcements by Charles Savage and Mary Slack on their plans to save SA Horseracing when Phum went into business rescue.
It is high time that they explain to the industry how this pet project of MOD went pear shaped and how they are going to compensate investors, stakeholders and employees in this Horseracing industry that for the destruction that they are responsible for!
The industry is crumbling, turnovers are dropping, international racing operators are complaining daily on the sub-standard racing product of 4Q, owners are packing it up and trainers are handing in their licenses at an unprecedented rate.
But Mary is trying to save the game. It’s her money. She is so passionate about horseracing and has a trillion times more interest in horsracing than you or I have. Give her a break.
The question is who chose the 'new' leaders?
These okes have probably let Mary Slack down.Did she have a say in who runs our racing now?
Our stakes are already pathetic to say the least and now some provinces are reducing them even more.It's obvious more will pull out and less will enter,only the ones with spare cash might buy a horse or two.
If it carries on like this our racing is doomed.
And have you ever thought where we would be now if Betfred had taken over?
Surely couldn't be in a worse position than we find ourselves now.
On August 28, 2020 MOD issued a letter in response to the Betfred proposed offer to acquire the assets of Phumelela in a single transaction. The excerpts from the MOD letter confirmed their intentions, in no uncertain terms, to save horseracing for themselves (on their terms) otherwise they will pull the plug on Phumelela:
“Finally, MOD accepts that it cannot impose a position on creditors. Suffice to state that if creditors vote to adjourn the meeting at this late stage͕ despite MOD best efforts to date MOD has instructed the RTT that it reserves the right to withdraw from the process and to provide no further funding to Phumelela.”
A recap of some of the MOD promises in the same letter:
“Should MOD be successful in its bid, the immediate intention of MOD is to:
10.1. Engage with key national industry participants to agree a long-term strategy and create alignment across the industry.
10.2. Work proactively with all the racing operators to deliver a cost effective, improved racing product that can be distributed both locally and internationally for improved economic returns for all.
10.3. Invest in transforming the racing assets it acquires, and indirectly the industry, into a more relevant and compelling product.
10.4. Establish a company that will house the racing assets that will reinvest profits back into the industry for (sic)
10.5. the benefit of all industry stakeholders in South Africa.
10.6. Engage in real economic transformation, from grassroots, across the industry value chain to reflect South African demographics and Socio-economic footprint.”
Mary chose Savage and the RTT bunch that are collectively responsible for the destruction in the industry. Lets process the facts and stop romanticising. Its time for those responsible to account for their actions.
The following user(s) said Thank You: Dave Scott, mr hawaii, durbs
Agree...cannot understand why MS being given a pass...buck stops at the top...if we expect same from CR the squirrel, then same for MS...
With each passing day, it seems that one group of capturers replaced another...worse TV coverage, worse pools, worse to come stakes, some of the same persons who created problems still at the trough, etc...
The following user(s) said Thank You: mr hawaii, Saint T
@Mac...your choice if you are accepting of the current state of racing...
I and many other voices shouldn't be determined by how much we put in...but we are a part of this industry as punters and can call out worsening mediocrity...
I'm pretty certain MS doesn't need you to push a rosy narrative...
.....I doubt that things would be any better if Betfred was given it.... as it would have brought in much worse management with John Stuart and the Oyster box chop running it.....:S
......I think Charles and co should give up on the media production side and crawl to the far better Gallop outfit ....before local racing hits a total meltdown.....:huh:
But Mary IS accountable. Only Mary. No one else. How much money did you put in?
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As punters we put in every day from betting taxes....and yet we have no say except to move away from racing and take our money with us.Lets not fool ourselves that the buyers took over for charitable reasons....they have vested interests in breeding so the show must go on for their product to reach the market....If we accept this poor product without objecting what are we doing?...If more punters leave then stakes will drop further and the horse population will drop as the small and middle owners stoop buying ....Its a win win situation if 4Racing concentrates on punters and the broadcast of the product.... We cannot expect more money to come from the Slack family to prop up stakes as they did not accrue their wealth by being a charity...Racing is a business and for decades it has slowly been run as a friend zone which has led to this destruction of the product... If Anglo was run like 4 Racing(Phumelela) then Mrs Slack would not have the money to have stepped in when everything collapsed.
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