TURF IN ENGLAND

Hokitika Guardian, 3 April 1933, Page 8

TURF IN ENGLAND

WHAT 1932 STATISTICS REVEAL

Th e statistics of the English flat racing season of 1932, published in the ‘Races Past” volume of th e ' “Racing Calender,” provide, interesting details of the great industry of thoroughbred j racing. Although the number of horses of different ages which ran last season is 126 fewer than in 1931, and the 'lowest since 1922, the 'figures are actually an indication of the improved strength of the thoroughbred industry. Ther e were thirty-two more two.year-olds brought into training than in 1931, the decrease being in the older hordes, a profitable market for which is found in India, Egypt,''South Africa, U.S.A., the Federated Malay States, and other countries. The prosperity of th e British Turf depends greatly upon its bloodstock export market, and a. decrease in the number of cider horse,s which ran hirst season is therefore not to be regarded as deleterious.

The amount of ' British capital inynsted in l;orse-raci.ng runs into millions of pounds, and, under Jockey r '!ub ride,? alone, there'are' 4547 horses in training. Some are worth upwards of £IO,OOO, and the collective-value, on a conservative basis of 400' f ovs each, th e price of the average selling plater, ca-n-ot be much less;:than (£2,000,000. TFhe value of stakes, not including priy.es to second and. third horses, dur’ug the 1932 season in England, Scotland and Ireland was £772,097 4s 2d, of which £695,826 was for -races won in /England, £32,7.11 in Scotland, and £43,559 19s 2d in Ireland. The total value of stakes for 1932 shows a decrease of £38,093 5s 8d for England, 'Scotland and Ireland, which is hardly s'lrorvsing j.h view of the prevailing industrial depression all over the world.

There were’ ten fewer r ; ices decided in 1932 th:, n j n 1931, the total being 1976, which does not include the 415 races in Ireland. ' '