I’M done with the 7lb mares’ allowance. It has to go. Now.
And you can throw provisional course inspections in the bin with it at the same time. Enough is enough.
In a world where equality is one of the most recognised values, horse racing continues to deny the fairer sex the respect they deserve.
And equally, colts and geldings are being asked to smash their heads against a wall built of talented fillies and mares.
This season’s Champion Hurdle is a classic example of the utter stupidity of the mares’ allowance.
The idea that either Epatante or Honeysuckle should receive 7lb from their rivals in the Unibet-sponsored Festival feature is ridiculous.
If they could talk, they would beg to be judged as equals. Beg I tell you.
Equally, Silver Streak, Aspire Tower, Sharjah, Abacadabras and Saint Roi are left hurt and upset that a task that is already formidable is made even harder for absolutely no reason. Who is thinking about them? Their well-being? Just me it seems.
It’s wrong. Racing is about who is best of the best at championship level. Not who is best weighted.
This needs to be sorted, and sorted now.
Epatante won last year’s Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham
It’s the championship races that need to be altered. I still want the mares bubbling under top grade to have their chance, so you might just be talking about the main Grade 1s at Cheltenham and Aintree. Throw in something like the Tingle Creek and King George VI Chase as well.
All the other races the mares’ allowance can stay, and breeders will still be encouraged to keep female horses in training.
Some will say that if the mares’ allowance was taken away Honeysuckle and Epatante would swerve the Champion Hurdle in favour of running against their own sex at Cheltenham.
But that is rubbish.
Most owners who have a top class horse want to land the big ones and rule the roost. It’s a sport to be King or Queen. Egos count for much.
Added to that, instead of just ‘Black Type’ in the breeding books mares who have beaten colts and geldings off level weights could be given ‘Super Neon Type’ to show they are the best of the best.
As I have said, the mares’ allowance would only be taken away in the main events each season so we all know who is the fastest horse on merit. Not because of what sex they are.
For those mares lacking star status the allowance would still be there for plenty of Grade and Group 1 events. So owners would still have every reason to just continue as they are.
It’s impossible to explain to any sane person that there are two outstanding contenders for a race – in this case the Champion Hurdle – who are better than the boys but because they are female they are given 7lb less. It just makes no sense at all.
Racing authorities hate change, and no doubt with Covid-19 and Brexit they will say there are more important things going on. They would be wrong. Top class mares can beat top class colts and geldings. If they ran off levels it would also help when it came to International Classifications. Everyone would be a winner. It’s a no brainer.
I have long called for the BHA to scrap provisional course inspections. Of course my calls have been ignored. That’s no surprise, as organisations like the BHA hate sensible suggestions that have not come internally.
As the weather in the UK becomes more and more freaky – whether that be snow, frost, flooding or heatwaves – inspections will become more and more frequent.
I have never understood why any racecourse has a provisional inspection if it might have an issue.
It appears the general idea is that we are all thick, and we can be conned into thinking a meeting that is in doubt will take place.
The logic, though, in itself is flawed.
A provisional inspection sounds amazing when a course passes its inspection, but ridiculous when it fails.
Cheltenham recently had a provisional inspection and was abandoned before the inspection even took place!
Look people this is very simple. You either inspect or you don’t.
If you don’t the meeting has no issues. If you do, then there is a doubt. It’s black and white and clerks of courses should welcome that ambiguity if taken out of the equation. We are all intelligent enough to work out the risks ourselves. Stop the nonsense.
Once again I’m delighted to help sort out the Sport of Kings. Have a great weekend everyone. Weather permitting I’m off to Lingfield for ITV. See you later.
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