TROTTING

Hutt News, Volume 2, Issue 43, 3 April 1930, Page 10

TROTTING

(By "Observer.")

Judged by any standard, light (harness racing is a -well-to-do man's sport: but, by living modestly in other respects, hundreds of "small" owners manage to keep one, two or three horses in training. I am often asked ■what it costs to own and keep a trotter. Some have horses thrust upon them —not as a noble gesture of friendship, but as a riddance. Horses can be for £5; others could not be had

for £1000. I see some similarity between becoming an owner and getting married. It is easily effected. The initial outlay in both, eases can be regulated to suit all pockets, and is trifling compared with the expensive responsibility which follows —for which a man must be prepared. Both ventures are usually undertaken with extreme optimism and enthusiasm. One may be lucky or otherwise, but in the latter event, of course, there is nothing to strip you shooting a bad horse and start-

ing afresh. Trainers' charges range generally from three guineas to £4 per week per horse, and may stipulate for ten per cent of the value of all races won. Their charges do not include veterinary treatment, shoeing, horseclothing, and some other incidental expenses which, frequently arise. The cost of sending a horse to a meeting and running him there depends upon the length of the journey and whether the trainer has to spend a night or nights away from home. To keep one horse in training an owner must be prepared to spend not less than £250 a year. If lie wins a race or two the cost should be less, but I have not considered the subject of betting.