Pandering to Mediocrity

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The Handicap Ratings and Speed Ratings combined top three strike rate for Monday was 74% following Sunday's 84%, an in-running weekly average of 79%.

There were six (4) and (5) UK graded races, Sunday producing a very unsatisfactory 33% top two winning strike rate. Two were won by the clear top rated horse. Four races were unsuccessful.

The full top three summary for Monday is:

HANDICAPS
Clear top rated strike rate was 29.6%. Best top rated SP was 3/1
Top two strike rate (incl joints) was 52%. Best 2nd top SP was 9/1
Top three strike rate was 63%. Best 3rd top SP was 9/2

SPEED RATINGS
Clear top rated strike rate was 15%. Best top rated SP was 7/1
Top two strike rate (incl joints) was 37%. Best 2nd top SP was 9/1
Top three strike rate was 59%. Best 3rd top SP was 10/1

note: Unless there are overnight withdrawals there is always one clear top rated horse (in both services). There are never more than three horses in the top two in any race where there are joint 2nd tops (one top rated two joint 2nd top). There are never more than four horses in the top three in any race where there are either joint 2nd or joint third tops.

If a horse isn't in the top three rated of the handicaps or the speed ratings, then it is highly likely it won't win.

You can see an explanation of the Handicap Ratings HERE and an explanation of the Speed Ratings HERE. The Speed Ratings are an addition to the handicaps at no extra cost and you can subscribe HERE. There has never been a better time to join us.

Have a look at the Wolverhampton, Southwell and Uttoxeter cards on Tuesday and tell me the authorities aren't pandering to mediocrity. I do not want to decry the connections of the horses because it is the breeders who are the problem. They have urgently to be put under some sort of control. It's no use breeders saying they could one day discover a gem among the offspring of moderate horses. In reality that is as rare as winning the lottery. So if people want to own a horse (or breed a pearl among swine), I suggest they do the lottery and buy a horse with their winnings.

Far too many horses are being bred and far too many in racing are offering the public false hopes when searching for syndicate memebrs. A few syndicates are very good. But most are embarrassing for the sport. Conversely, there are so many horses being bred, it can be seen as a blessing that they are in racing instead of in a field waiting to be sold to the highest unscrupulous bidder.

Unfortunately, even by Weatherbys own research, a large number of ex-racehorses cannot be found nor their fate determined. You have to wonder what happened to them. You also have to fear for the ultimate fate of most of the moderate to mediocre racehorses running tomorrow. The only way to allay such fears for future generations of racehorses is to heavily (and I mean heavily) surcharge breeders who want to breed horses to race. That way fewer horses will be bred and fewer horses will have uncertain futures after racing.

Obviously, even the best breeding can produce a selling plate winner. But the real point is the welfare of horses. While so many are being bred that welfare is solely reserved for those whose owners have sufficient funds, a love of horses and horse racing and not a love of gambling - which is the basis of many syndicates. That last point is as clear as a cloudless sky. It is why syndicates have flourished.

The enticement of owning a horse plus the attraction of receiving inside information is enough for many. But all they are doing is perpetuating the myth that you can win with little effort - so long as you "know" the right people. What potential syndicate members know, but seem to forget in the excitement of being involved with a horse, is that most gambles fail. Even the best laid ones from the stable (or those "in the know"). Unfortunately, the end result is the overpopulation of the racehorse world.

I love gambling. I also love horses. I am very aware of the risks horses and jockeys run to provide me with entertainment. But that is not the issue. Racehorse welfare is. And while breeders continually over-populate the sport with mediocrity, moderate racehorse's will always face a dangerous future.

Rant over.

On Tuesday, Diamond Laura (3-45 Wolverhampton) takes a huge drop in class after failing to make the grade in listed company the last twice. It will be very surprising if she loses in this claimer. She has a touch of class (I was forced to put that last sentence in by you-know-who....).

Have a good day