Leading trainer names his biggest gripe in racing

Where would you rather watch the races - live at the racetrack, in front of a television at home or at a venue?

That’s the question SENTrack’s Miles Pfitzner asked the listeners after trainer William Freedman said the racing industry has given up on encouraging people going to the races.

Freedman says it’s on the racing industry and its participants to find a way to change the narrative that going to the track is not the preferred method for fans.

“Participants need to realise this is an entertainment sport,” Freedman told SENTrack.

“My biggest gripe on racing a the moment is that we’ve sorted given up on people going to the races and we’ve just said ‘it’s a television sport’.

“I think if you actually look at the hardcore racing punters and I have no statistics to back this up but this is how I’ve seen it as you still find it’s an older age demographic and probably the younger generation seems to be more interested in sports betting.

“I kind of get the feeling that a lot of people that are keen racing people have that experience of going to the races, feeling the atmosphere and the small little details is something I feel we’ve lost.

“Participants need to realise that we need to build this sport as an entertainment sport and whatever way that is and that’s above my paygrade, but we need to try and get people back interested.”

Furthermore, Freedman says the punter and fans need to realise that being a trainer, jockey and strapper is very tiring and there needs to be a give and take in terms of the amount of meetings held during the week.

“But then conversely, the punters need to realise that there’s a very human toll on participants in racing, it’s a huge employer of people, high labour for the number of horses,” Freedman added.

“The participants still want to have a period of relaxation with their families and maybe we need to look at making the weekend for those people not on Sunday as it is in hospitality.

“There just needs to be a give and take in terms of if you’re going to put on more races where are we taking them away from.”

LISTEN TO THE FULL CHAT WITH MILES AND WILL 👇