Cover image courtesy of Cressfield Stud
I would like to let you know (as I have done with Will Johnson) that your views, comments on, and potential solutions to our industry (aka the Racing and Thoroughbred Breeding Industry) issues are an absolute necessity to galvanise us all as we enter into the latter part of this decade.
The series of Breeding Drain or Racing Gain articles are outstanding, and I am in complete agreement with the majority of points raised and potential solutions tendered.
As an industry participant, I am deeply concerned with our current direction, and although I do believe that we need a ‘rationalisation’ of our industry, the direction we are taking is, to me, unsavoury.
“I am deeply concerned with our current direction, and although I do believe that we need a ‘rationalisation’ of our industry, the direction we are taking is, to me, unsavoury.” - Wayne Bedggood
I am a part of the problem because, like many others in our vocation and sport, I sit back and complain but am no longer actively striving to change things, so God bless you ‘youngsters’ for caring enough to put yourselves out there, especially in this cruel new world of trolling and sniping at others from the confines of a keyboard – not just because others disagree - but because they can!
Time will tell, but I believe that we are at a watershed moment where our industry must decide whether we become “The Sport of Kings Alone,” where all are welcome to watch and gamble but only the mega-rich can afford to play, or whether we head in the direction your TTR commentators suggest: where we focus on industry-led, holistic governance (preferably by a national body such as Racing Australia) that has sustainability and vitality as core parameters to its modus operandi.
Wayne Bedggood | Image courtesy of Hunter Thoroughbred Breeders Association
The latter direction, which allows most of us to participate in the game, can only be effective if it is governed by industry-mandated executives who have thoroughbred breeding and racing backgrounds first, and executive skills second.
I say this because we, and governments alike, have a bad habit of putting people with successful (or otherwise) business acumen on industry committees who don’t have a thorough understanding - if not an ingrained sensibility - of our industry, which are absolute necessities when dealing with an industry that is an agriculturally based entertainment business. You don’t need to look far to see this common scenario in play, and the dire consequences that come with it…
We certainly don’t want to throw the baby out with the bathwater, as there have been some fabulous innovations that have made our industry the envy of the world - but it is time to start the conversations that you have. And once consensus on direction is agreed upon following these discussions, we must act on it with haste!
Watching with much interest,
Wayne Bedggood
General Manager
Cressfield Stud
