time to stay ahead of our enemies.

​Look, I am uneasy to be talking politics – though aren’t we all at the moment – the prorogation of Parliament, who would have thought it - but at some time or another anyone writing a personal blog that will be read by people of all persuasions will give away their political views. I do not believe that up till now I have done so, and no doubt what I am about to say will offend those readers who hold polar opposite political leanings. But here goes anyway: the present Labour Party are a very dangerous organisation and I fear for my country if they ever get elected. I have never in all my long-lived life mistrusted any politicians more than Jeremy Corbyn and his puppet-master, John McDonnell. Every single one of their policy objectives is driven by envy, political and social jealousy and personal ambition.
Which leads me back to horse racing matters.
Animals are of great importance to me. This small house in which I abide is home to eight cats, all of which have had lives improved by our hospitality towards them. In order to win votes, to mask their more sinister objectives, Labour propose to ‘radically strengthen animal welfare law’. On the whip issue I recently exchanged several e-mails with the Labour Member of Parliament for Exeter, Luke Pollard, the leading figure in the debate in Westminster a few months on taking away welfare concerns from the B.H.A. and having the sport overseen by an independent body. It was evident from what he said that he has virtually no interest in either horses or horse racing and that his, and Labour’s, agenda is entirely politically motivated. Our correspondence ended with my hope his concern for the welfare of racehorses would extend to the millions of animals killed on our roads. He did not reply and I construed that his silence was because there was no political gain from lowering speed limits and spending tax payers money on somehow stopping animals straying on to busy roads.
In a recent article in the Racing Post I learnt to my surprise the extent of French racing Retirement of Racehorses programme. Though slow off the blocks, it seems to me the French have caught up and passed our efforts to ensure racehorses are as cared-for in retirement as when racing. Indeed, I was really surprised by how well the Aga Khan looks after his retired stallions and broodmares.
With the threat of a Socialist Government near at hand, the B.H.A., indeed everyone of racing’s ‘stakeholders’, should be on the front foot on all welfare issues, not least of which is our Achilles Heel, the whip issue, my views on which I have stated many times. Every owner, every syndicate manager, and trainer, has a duty to ensure horses out of training are cared-for, with anyone found guilty of neglect or cruelty removed from the sport. The greatest sin, or violation of the rules of racing, must be neglect and cruelty, with the sport itself funding any prosecutions.
Although the sports does have fund raising days for the Retraining of Racehorses charities, we really must have one big day, spread over many race-meetings, to raise awareness of the work done on behalf of retired racehorses, for the public to get close-up and personal with retired racehorses and for demonstrations of horses already trained in different equestrian disciplines. And, of course, to raise donations for the appropriate charities. This ‘Retraining of Racehorses Day’ should extend to betting shops and stands on any agricultural or cultural event taking place on the same day. This might be a perfect day to have a final of a veteran’s race series. It might also be a good day to trial ‘hands and heels’ races for professional jockeys.
99.9% of the time this sport has nothing to be guilty about when it comes to equine welfare, now though is the time to be on the front foot and engage with the public and media, to challenge them to call foul on us. I have had letters published on this matter – that no racing rule should undermine the principle that horse welfare is paramount – since the days of the Sporting Life. To my mind the B.H.A. is too focused on committees and seeking the opinions of diverse sections of the sport, twiddling their thumbs in other words, no doubt hoping any problem will go away. Now though ‘twiddling’ is very much retreat. This sport must be seen to be proactive in the care of retired racehorses. In reply to a letter I sent to The Jockey Club when they ruled the sport, I was told the fate of retired racehorses was very much the responsibility of their owners. The B.H.A. are not that cynical, I am glad to say. Neither, though, are they carrying the standard at the forefront of the conflict.
Financial resources, of course, limits what can be done and I propose that everyone licensed by the B.H.A., owners, trainers, jockeys, racecourses, even, should pay a small subscription, tax, donation or levy, call it what you may, to fund the purchasing of a stud which can be turned into a retirement home for racehorses open to the paying public. The Irish National Stud do something very similar, I believe, combining the famous horses at rest there with a wonderful garden and other attractions.
We should not be organising race meetings in aid of cancer, the sport should be raising funds for something that is vital to our reputation, image and securing the future of the sport and the B.H.A. must get its finger out and start to put something akin to my vision into practice. With the evil spectre of a Socialist Government, taking advice from the vile organisation that is ‘Animal Aid’ advancing onto the horizon time is limited to us. Now is not the time for the ‘twiddling of thumbs’.