Take a small owner that has only one horse in training. He has more than likely spent something in the region of €5000 to €10,000 for the horse in the first place and he has another €10,000 plus invested in training fees over the year. His horse is more than likely going to be competing in a low enough grade handicap on a smaller days’ racing. That unfortunately is the reality of it. There is no point sugar coating it. Some will get lucky and get the good horse but this is where the majority end up. So it is vital to make these days as enjoyable as possible for the owner. For all the money he has spent and time that he has waited, what does he get in return?

On raceday, he will get entry for himself and his spouse (worth roughly €30), a race card each (€5) and an owners and trainers pass giving them access to the parade ring and an empty bar. It’s likely to be a wet day that they head for the races. Their horse isn’t running until the sixth race but they go before the first and decide to make a day of it. They’re a little cold so they decide to have a cup of tea to warm up. That’s €6 for two cups of tea and another €10 for a bun and a ham sandwich that has less flavour than a sheet of paper.