'We cannot accept small fields' - levy chief sounds warning at Gimcrack dinner

British racing cannot continue to accept small fields, according to one senior industry figure who has warned the problem simply has to be dealt with even if that means "sacrifices all round".

Those were among the key thoughts from Levy Board chairman Paul Darling when he delivered a speech at the 251st Gimcrack dinner at York racecourse on Tuesday night.

Darling covered a wide range of topics and gave a thumbs-up to the sport's new governance structure, which will result in the BHA board having ultimate decision-making powers.

The administration and constitution of the Horsemen's Group, rebranded this year as the Thoroughbred Group, irked Darling, who said it "made for cumbersome decision-making".

Darling also challenged racing to decide to what extent it wants a "levy friendly race programme" and argued that choice can be made using a lot of "sophisticated data".

"It can choose not to have a levy friendly programme, but its income will be impacted by those decisions," he said.

Paul Darling: Levy Board chairman welcomed racing's new governance structure

"Everyone realises and accepts that the breed and the Pattern have to be supported, and the Levy Board wants to be spending its money in a way that demonstrably supports the improvement of the sport. We really have to find a way through the top end versus the rest debate."

Addressing the problem of field sizes, which this year have hit record lows since the BHA began compiling data in 1995, Darling said: "Racing has to appreciate the competitive world in which it lives. We cannot accept continual small field sizes.

"That does not mean every race on the card has to be a 24-runner handicap, but there has to be a recognition that big Saturdays with poor fields will not be in the industry's interest. I know this is a difficult, complex subject but it simply has to be dealt with.

"All of this will mean sacrifices all round. It's easy for me to stand here and tell everyone they should be making sacrifices for the greater good, but they have to if the future is to be really bright."

Hugh Anderson, on behalf of Godolphin, also spoke – as the dinner's tradition dictates following the victory of Noble Style in the Group 2 Gimcrack Stakes at the Ebor meeting in August.

He echoed Darling's comments and after referencing the death of the Queen in September, he said: "I cannot tell you how proud Godolphin is to be part of this country’s remarkable racing heritage.

"It is a racing heritage we cannot take for granted, forged over centuries and still the envy of the world. Godolphin supports British racing and will always be thrilled to race here at York. But we know there are challenges and are pleased to see there appears to be a genuinely collaborative and unified approach being taken by the authorities."

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