In our recent exploration we have The illusion of independencewe pulled back the curtain on the close relationships that determine the ‘official’ story of horse racing. We saw it in the aftercare sector with the TAA’s non-disparagement dilemma, and we see it again today as the sector’s traditional media attempts to frame Mike Repole’s call for change as a “disruption campaign” rather than a necessary evolution.
A recent column in the Paulick Report titled “Let’s Talk (Again) About a Race Commissioner” is the latest example of what I call agenda-driven rhetoric. The column questions Repole’s “tactics” and wonders who would cede authority to him. But here’s the irony: the column itself is sponsored by The Jockey Club-the organization that has a monopoly on the industry’s data, direction and stories.
Aaron Wellman:
In the aftermath of some serious soul searching, and after absorbing it The Jockey Club’s rebuttal on January 27 focused on Mike’s demands for accountability, I can no longer worry about the risk of offending individuals who hold titles that should warrant respect, nor friends or business associates.
The Legal Signal: Latham & Watkins and the NASCAR Parallel
Bee Beyond the wirewe were the first to outline how a potential Repole lawsuit could impact the Michael Jordan vs. NASCAR conflict. It is a fight against a closed system in which the few control the majority.
Interesting developments suggest that the ‘establishment’ also sees it our way. Reliable reports indicate that The Jockey Club has retained Christopher Yates from Latham & Watkins. For those keeping score, this is the same firm and counsel involved in NASCAR’s legal maneuvers. If The Jockey Club is “just a pedigree registry,” as they often claim when it suits them, why would they keep the heavy legal artillery used by major league sports monopolies? They know the stakes. They know that the current structure is vulnerable.
A decades-long call to leadership
The Paulick Report considers the Commissioner’s speech as a new, radical ‘Repole’ idea. It’s not. I have been advocating for a National Commissioner for more than ten years. Why? Because every sport in multiple states and jurisdictions around the world has one.
While the industry is building up, the individuals within the inner circle of the Jockey Club seem to be doing just fine. Meanwhile, the sport itself is suffering from a multifaceted crisis:
- The handle: Stagnant or declining in real terms.
- The foal harvest: Shrinking to levels that threaten the survival of year-round racing.
- CAW Infiltration: A reliance on computer-assisted betting that alienates the ‘everyday’ gambler who keeps the lights on.
- Aftercare and lifespan: A rainy day turned monsoon, yet the industry ‘leaders’ are sitting in the millions, while the sport is left without an umbrella.
Independence versus control
Let’s be clear: I am independent. I called Mike Repole when I thought he was wrong, especially on HISA and security protocols. I pushed for free data from Equibase because transparency is the only way to grow. I corrected myself when I learned through Equibase that there is a lot more free data available than most racing fans know. It’s a communication error and not a lack of free data.
Being independent means being the first to say when a ‘savior’ is wrong, but also the first to identify when the ‘status quo’ is fooling the public. Racing doesn’t need a controlled, censored and ultimately false narrative. Action is needed.
As a gambler by nature, I’ll bet if you ask Repole why he has respect Beyond the wireprobably because he knows we’re not part of the echo chamber. We are not here to protect the umbrella; we are here to ensure the sport survives the storm. We share a common vision of a better game, a level playing field and perhaps a return to the glory days of the Sport of Kings. It’s time for a commissioner, it’s time for transparency, and it’s time to stop pretending that the “illusion of independence” is the same as the truth.
I’ll close with this, as it was mentioned in part of the Paulick Report story. It seems that the desire to view emails and correspondence between the members of the Jockey Club through discovery struck a chord. I don’t know if they will be considered privileged or not, but these types of communications often reveal what those making them don’t want you to know. A wise friend once said to me, “Never say anything on the phone that you wouldn’t want played in court one day.” They were right. In today’s digital age, I’d say this includes emails and text messages. They can be very enlightening.
Stay off the phone… and email (including text)
Beyond the Wire, Jon Stettin, March 2014:
To the naysayers and pessimists about a central governing body and a horse racing commissioneryou should reconsider. You are part of the problem and not part of the solution. Racing needs uniformity, even from state to state. Other sports have it and they compete in multiple states. If we don’t do it, ultimately the government will It may be, or we may fail. I have long been an advocate of a central governing body and it seems that today we need it more than ever. To make it work, we need experienced racing people from all walks of the game, not political appointees. That includes people from the betting side who were never paid attention to or had a say in, from the back end and all other facets of the game. Will this bring in the new fans we so desperately need? Not right away, but it’s a healthy start. We also need programs designed for the care and placement of horses after they are unable to race. Old friends and places like that should be plentiful and funded from purses, racinos and takeaways. There must be strict penalties for non-compliance, and especially harsh penalties when it comes to cruelty to our horses. With the same money we must also take care of our permanently disabled riders. Under a central governing body, all should be treated without selective enforcement and with zero tolerance. One positive point: you’re out. Racing is a privilege, not a right. It cannot be selective, and it cannot vary from issue to issue or state to state. Every trainer and owner needs to know that these are the rules going forward. Want to play, follow them.
#Racings #story #protected