Letter: Question of quality

Sir: We are constantly reminded of the declining horse race industry, the lower standard of races and the withdrawal of owners' support. Derby day is the highlight of the racing calendar but was the take at the meeting in keeping with the quality of racing? A total of 106,186 customers would net approximately pounds 3m. What with pounds 100,000 from parking, television rights, catering etc, quite a tidy sum, yet apart from the Derby itself, the other five races were valued an average of pounds 18,400 each. Hardly likely to bring the foreign competition it used to do. Apart from the Coronation Cup, the average prize is pounds 800 per race better than at Beverley, which 'the south' like to class as a flapping track. Does not this high income and low return merit a question mark?

Yours faithfully,

ERIC STENTON

Sheffield

3 June