Anyone got ANYTHING positive to say???

Now , there's positivity !!

Id be concerned John that the only pick up we will see in the latter half of the year will be the truck that picked up the Harolds Cross traps sent out on another mission.

And it worries me quite a lot that there is no SPK Thursday returning,
means that Thursday quality dogs now race Tuesdays, which I found out for my disadavantage

I had a runner at Harolds Cross on St Valentines night but the pick up truck arrived with the blow torch and that was that.

Heard Mullingar have 350 plus hounds on the books now.

People at the top table want less dogs and less racing that is the popular theory.By extension they want less owners also.

And when Tina McGrane and co had a meeting with the CEO on our behalf to battle for the survival of Longford, Ger Dollard actually told her that thats ok with him if lots of people leave the industry, as the IGB wants to shrink the industry...

John Kelleher wrote:

We cannot say matings are down 30% for 2020. There are still nearly 6 months left in the year and there will be a pick up in the 2nd half. Now, there's positivity !!

I am surprised that matings are only down 30%

The Irish Greyhound Board, which is the beneficiary of a 16.8m annual State budget stemming from the Horse and Greyhound Fund, drew down some 11.9m between the start of March and end of May, at a rate of just under 4m per month.

EXTERNAL LINK

"Last one out please turn off the lights"

EXTERNAL LINK

We are in the middle of a pandemic and the exchequer has been put under most serious pressure in its history. Certain funding will be dropped as funds are directed at the fight against Covid19. I will be amazed if the Horse and Greyhound Fund exists in 2021.

In my opinion the individuals in the IGB have realised this and have drawn down 11.9m between the start of March and end of May, at a rate of just under 4m per month to ensure they get paid.

I would be surprised if this money was being spent on prize money and driving the greyhound industry forward into 2021. The obvious reason for this draw down is to ensure IGB salaries & pensions.

This means the IGB is driving the greyhound industry into the ground and are only looking to maintain their incomes for as long as possible.

You have to ask what is the IGOBF doing to prevent this slide.

Kieran Boles wrote:

The Irish Greyhound Board, which is the beneficiary of a 16.8m annual State budget stemming from the Horse and Greyhound Fund, drew down some 11.9m between the start of March and end of May, at a rate of just under 4m per month. EXTERNAL LINK

Last one out, please turn off the lights...

Clonmel: Produce Stakes

Shelbourne: Champions Stakes Corn Cuchulainn Unraced sweep tonight

Boylesports: back the Irish Derby

There's men and women across the country leaving to go racing now in great form . There's plenty of good news if you accentuate the positive . Some brilliant dogs on show all over the country.
I've said it before on here if people keep saying the game is gone it will be. I'm off into Shelbourne for dinner and a few pints with a couple of friends. I'd implore you all to do the same. Whats the worst that can happen you might enjoy yourself !

Pearse, Frank and Kevin look at the state of the greyhound industry and are just happy that we have quality racing

pearse lynch wrote:

Dundalk: Irish Sprint Cup Clonmel: Produce Stakes Shelbourne: Champions Stakes Corn Cuchulainn Unraced sweep tonight Boylesports: back the Irish Derby

I just think that you are getting quality racing because of the time of year.

With regard to Boylesports: back the Irish Derby John Boyle is a legend and every greyhound supporter should support his firm whenever they can.

I look at these big competitions and feel sorry for owners, breeders and anyone else dependant on greyhound racing to make a living especially when you factor in inflation;

The Champion Stakes this year is worth 20,000 it was worth 20,000 in 2019 and back in 2005 it was worth 40,000 to the winner.
The Corn Cuchulainn this year is worth 10,500 it was worth 12,500 in 2019 and back in 2005 it was worth 35,000 to the winner.

I am sure that Pearse, Frank and Kevin with their rose-tinted glasses will point out that the IGB have managed to keep the prize money for the Champion Stakes the same as last year.

And yes we are in the middle of a pandemic and revenue streams are being devastated at the moment. That is why you see the likes of Ryanair cutting their costs to reflect their environment but what are the IGB doing drawing down their greyhound fund ASAP

Bottom line is that we have another quango with individuals employed on the basis of who they know and not what they know whose main objective is to maintain their salaries and pensions and not drive the greyhound industry forward and out of a very perilous situation.

I cannot think of any other industry where the suppliers of an industries raw material would accept such a drastic cut to their incomes over such a sustained period. But that is why the greyhound industry is in the situation that it finds itself in

... could you imagine the beef farmers putting up with what the greyhound breeders has put up with over the last decade.

PS where the hell is the Tipperary mob who took over the IGOBF.

They were certainly vocal enough chastising the likes of Cunningham, Walshe and Ryan but they seem to have lost their voice when the IGB spends 11.9m during March, April and May with no racing.

#Last one out, please turn off the lights...

Dear Mr Dollard,
The decision by you and the bord of the IGB to increase the entry fee and lower the prize money for greyhound racing beggars belief. The Greyhound Industry is on its knees and this action by you will only add to its demise Owners and Breeders have carried this Industry for years, with the vast majority of them losing money on a daily basis.
The IGB. Receive a huge subvention of over 16 million annually from the Government to keep the show on the road, yet the first thing you do is penalize the supplier of your raw material. Shame on you.
Many people inside and outside the industry have being asking the question, what in honour of God are they doing with the money We were all told that once Harolds.X was sold the IGB would be debt free and everything in the garden would be rosy. Where are we now?
Every track is losing money on its operation. You have an excuse every year for the abject performance of your Team. This year it will be the virus, last year Hars.X, bad weather next year and so on. You blame everyone and everything for the disastrous decline in the industry. The buck stops with you and your Bord.
Many owners have left the industry in recent years. Has anyone from the IGB contacted these owners to find out the reason for them leaving.?
Many patrons have stopped attending the tracks. Has anyone contacted them to find out their reason for not attending?
Many of the answers could be varied but i will wager that many of the owners would suggest the lack of integrity is one of the main reasons.
We hear a lot of talk about greyhound welfare and new laws about traceability.
THE BIGGEST WELFARE ISSUE FOR GREYHOUNDS IS PROHIBITED DRUGS.
It is vital that ALL greyhounds who race on our tracks are free from prohibited substances. With this in mind
We are requesting the IGB to introduce Testing of hair samples with immediate effect.
Any greyhound that wishes to race must have a hair sample taken by either the Control or Stipendiary Steward. A greyhound will not be allowed to appear on any race card until the result of his test is negative.
New penalties must be brought in to ensure that any greyhound that tests positive for drugs shall not be allowed to breed.
All races to be graded and filled by computer for all tracks at a Central Control Location.
Yours Sincerely
_______________
Anthony Walsh
Chairperson IGOBF

2020 Irish Greyhound Owners and Breeders Federation CLG. All rights reserved.

PS i wont be responding to any posts.

While I always liked your passion, I have come to the conclusion that both you and Anthony Walsh are a major problem in terms of uniting owners and breeders.

When you refused my offer to mediate between yourself and the Tipperary mob a few years ago, it was obvious to me that you had personal 'axes to grind', especially when the other side were willing to meet and discuss a compromise.

Up to that phone call you always stated that you didnt want the hassle and would be happy to pass on the responsibility. But when 'push came to shove' you clung onto your position in the IGOBF and I see from todays post that you are still claiming your mob represents the Irish Greyhound Owners and Breeders.

I have to say that from everything that I have read over the last 24 months, I do not believe that you have a mandate to represent Irish Greyhound Owners and Breeders and by continuing to cling onto power is actually damaging the sport by dividing the grass roots.

You claim that the IGOBF CLG are working way and have not gone anywhere too far but a fair question is what have you achieved over the past 24 months to revive the industry - maybe it's time to let someone else have a go at representing the Irish Greyhound Owners and Breeders.

K

There are no rose tinted glasses on here. I am fully aware of the costs involved in racing greyhounds and the harsh realities of the game at times.

The point I was trying to make was the constant negativity towards the game is no good.
Kieran I agree with most of your sentiment towards the board and without the backing of John Boyle and Boylesports the game both track and field would be in a perilous situation .

So to get back on thread I hope you all enjoyed Redzer Ardfert v Aayamza Royale ,Cooper chasing down Pestana. Lenson Bocko, the pups on Friday night . The Silver Salver winner collecting the 10k bonus on Sunday night. Newinn Taylor and Session. The sprinters at Dundalk. All the Ballymacs.

Hope to see you all in Shelbourne or where ever you get your fix over the summer.
#longliveGreyhoundracing