Talk of racing coming out the other side of the woods, shaking itself down and rebuilding is so far off the mark for in reality the sport has only just taken its first forced steps in from the entry point.
For while the building optimism that we are past the worst of the plague with talk of a damning second wave just speculation without foundation may hopefully prove founded, similar hope filled sentiments that British racing is in the same boat have no basis.
Those doubting this need only have listened to a deadly serious John Gosden giving a somber assessment of the prevailing situation in an interview for ITV racing, whose broadcasts over the past few weeks have at last faced up to issues that threaten the ability of the sport to continue on its present scale.
The Clarehaven boss has been sounding out warnings from the onset of this crisis. We can't be sure if he is dutifully intensifying the threat that the cut in prize money levels pose, as he of course is representing the interests of his patrons. Trainers and owners grumbling over what they see as modest overall levels of funding has been a recurring theme within British racing for many decades but never before have the sentiments been voiced amid such an atmosphere of uncertainty,
It we thought we could take for granted the support of the wealthy owners involved at the higher levels of the game because of the 'prestige' and strong history angle to racing here then we are on the wrong path. Remember, previous criticism had specifically been targeted at the prevailing monetary rewards, not drastic, unprecedented cuts.
Moreover, boasting that that our top prizes offer so much status to the winners that many would pay the entry fees for a winning prize of zero due to the esteem of an event being such a big influence on stud valuations, sit somewhere between optimism and postulation.
Gosden revealed that some horses who he had plans for next season had already departed his yard for the United States and Australia. The owners would not be hanging around to race for the present reduced levels of prize money. However wealthy they may be, they are not going to be taken for granted, added the trainer.
Of course, certain categories of animal, particularly those in the lower Group and Listed levels, have always had richer pickings available on other continents. And for fillies and mares a few lengths superior in ability, who once went on one way journeys to the States to race for good money in relatively 'soft' Group 1 events, the main European race planners had to act and did so by upgrading the programme for fillies and mares both in status and prize money levels.It quickly brought about the desired result, stemming the exodus of many talented animals.
But the immense problems existing now all center around a lack of money available to fund prizes. This cannot be compensated by upgrading the designated class of a race without an accompanying boost in the monetary value.
As an example, it would not be a great surprise if there was a desire amongst breeders, owners and trainers to bestow Group 1 status on a seven furlong event in the UK, as no such event exists here beyond the juvenile division. So, you upgrade the Hungerford Stakes to the top level but with no notable boost in the monetary value as the authorities have decided to throw out the rules regarding minimum values for related classes of race. You would be left with a Group 1 in name only with the true seven furlong championship remaining the Prix de la Foret, which would be the only one of the two events with a line up worthy of the race status.
And as for taking patronage of owners for granted, it seems as those of us who looked at the approach of many in the jumping game through rose tinted spectacles, counting on the continued support of the prominent owners irrespective of finances, may have to wind in the mawkish praising.
For on the back of Michael O'Leary and Graham Wylie phasing out their involvement in the game, a bombshell would have bit many on this side of the Irish Sea on the announcement that Trevor Hemmings is dispersersing with two thirds of his string as a result of being hit with financial losses through the Covid-19 crisis.
It was only as recently as recently as 2013 that Hemmings reputedly lost 700 million from the collapse in the Royal Bank of Scotland share prices. He did trim the size of his string at the time but it was hardly noticed. This is entirely different and could leave one or two handlers in trouble, even to the extent of considering handing in their licenses.
Hemmings remains an extremely wealthy man but the message here is that unconditional support for the game does not exist, even in the love of the sport over business realms of National Hunt racing. This is a concerning development and many will be left holding their breath hoping no further announcements from other influential owners follow.
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