Top owners were forced to sell Royal Ascot winners amid ‘desperate’ prize money battle
SOME of the most famous silks in British racing are set to be seen less on the racecourse as owner-breeders battle against desperate prize money in the UK.
The black, white and red colours of the Oppenheimer family are synonymous with racing greats like Golden Horn, Cracksman, On the House and Most Welcome.
And they should have been on Frankie Dettori aboard Courage Mon Ami, the brilliant hero of the Ascot Gold Cup.
But such is the economics in British racing, Anthony Oppenheimer was forced to sell to new Qatari outfit Wathnan Racing.
Indeed, without the deal Oppenheimer’s breeding operation could have been in serious trouble.
It’s not just Oppenheimer, the force behind Hascombe and Valiant Stud Ltd, that is finding it hard to balance the books.
Many of you will already know that Philippa Cooper has scaled back her Normandie Stud operation.
I for one hope Cooper might change her mind, but she was another who saw a horse who should have been in her colours score at the Royal fixture.
Gregory was hers before Wathnan also bought him prior to his success in the Queen’s Vase.
I caught up with Oppenheimer as he stood in the winner’s enclosure at Ascot eyeing Coursge Mon Ami.
He was clearly a proud man, but told me: “Obviously the prize money is not that good at the moment. So to a certain extent we were forced to sell Courage Mon Ami.
“But I have decided also to sell all my yearling colts this coming year in October to fund the stud a bit more. We need funds.
“Without any question we have to run the stud as a business. Two or three weeks ago we were quite out of funds.
“It’s quite tricky. You never know what you are going to get.
“We have been very fortunate that Wathnan Racing have bought this horse at the right moment.
“I’m thrilled for the new owners. It’s great for the stud and we’ve got the mares and the family. Everyone will be really happy at the stud.”
At face value Royal Ascot was a huge success.
But it should not hide the fact that British racing appears to be in somewhat of a desperate state financially.
British owner-breeders are the backbone of this incredible industry. Those in charge should take note.
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