Racing must bridge the urban-rural divide by celebrating the horse

The greatest stars in horseracing are the horses; the sport obviously cannot take place without them. Racing's future would be made more secure by all those invested in it now doing all they can to spread a knowledge and recognition of horses among communities where they are seldom seen or spoken about.

The nature of my job as a radio broadcaster means I am fortunate to work across many sports. Those experiences have strengthened my concern for the long-term future of my home sport, which has always been racing.

It seems to me the problem stems from the disconnect between rural life and urban life, central to which is the horse. Jamie Osborne summed up the challenge well when he said there was once a time when the horse was everything to every man.