Martin Cruddace: 'The fixation on media rights is economically illiterate - I'll never allow a trainer to tell this company how it should be run'
Industry editor Bill Barber meets the Arena Racing Company chief executive
As new year's messages go, there have been cheerier communications. "Unfortunately I can't be optimistic for the near future," Arena Racing Company chief executive Martin Cruddace replies in matter-of-fact fashion when asked about the state of the British racing nation.
"I do believe the strength of the sport means that we will recover in time but it will be painful," he adds.
Cruddace is speaking at Arena Racing Company's (Arc) headquarters in London's Millbank Tower as one tough year for British racing is ending and another crucial 12 months for the sport is about to begin.
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Published on inInterviews
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- 'It's tough financially and last year I said I might get a job driving a lorry instead - although to be fair I'd probably crash!'
- 'I'm not here to tell people how to train but if you hide something from me, I'm gone, I'm done - and you won't see me again'
- 'I had to fly back from Saudi on the day for the awards before flying back the following day but it really was a great evening'
- 'The lads often give out to me for saying what I say - but if I didn't say what I thought I wouldn't be being true to myself'
- 'All anyone wants is a pat on the back and these awards show you mean something to the yard and the people there. It's brilliant'