Sunday night racing 'could see stable staff working 27 days on the bounce'

08 January 2024 , 18:02

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Charlie's Choice wins the first race at the inaugural Sunday night card at Wolverhampton

A racing chief fears the introduction of Sunday night racing could lead to some stable staff working 27 days on the trot.

George McGrath said the trial will be unsustainable if hard-pressed yards continue their current working practices. Wolverhampton hosted a trial from the BHA's revamped fixture list on Sunday designed to drive betting turnover during a quiet period.

McGrath, chief executive of the National Association of Racing Staff representing 7,836 people, lobbied 70 employees during Sunday's action, with staff split over the idea. He said: "We have to address the working patterns for stable staff, otherwise this will be unsustainable.

"Many do long hours and then get a Saturday evening and Sunday off – it's an important rest day. With racing on Sunday evenings, you can get a scenario where members are working 27 consecutive days."

Linda Perratt sent four horses on a 550-mile round trip from Scotland to the West Midlands track, where extra prize money was on offer. As her last runner was at 8.30pm, staff stayed over on Saturday and arrived back at her East Kilbride yard yesterday.

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"It's a huge logistical challenge," said the trainer, whose horse Moon Flight earned £7,098 for finishing second. It's seven hours to get there with a 45-minute break. But if we can win some good prize money, it's worth travelling."

Stable staff were paid a £150 bonus on the night. Coral PR's spokesman Simon Clare said it was a "solid start" for the firm on the betting front, while Paddy Power's Paul Binfield said: "The new Sunday evening fixture performed really well – it was in our top five highest staking fixtures of the week."

Melissa Jones