TOP races off-limits for veteran racing staff
VETERAN racing staff are being barred from top race meetings at Newmarket's Rowley Mile and July racecourses.
Around 40 now-retired racing employees, who get annual race passes through Newmarket-based racing charity, Racing Welfare, have been hit by a change in the rules imposed by Stephen Wallis, Newmarket's managing director which says they are not allowed to use them for any meeting which features a Group 1 race.
Now 77-year-old former racing lad John Palmer, who lives at Gibson Close, Exning, is fighting to get the rule revoked but so far his pleas have fallen on deaf ears.
John, who spent more than 20 years working for former Newmarket trainer Robert Armstrong at St Gatien Stables in Newmarket's All Saints Road, mainly breaking in yearlings, has even written to the Princess Royal, president of Racing Welfare, asking if she could use her influence to get the rule changed.
"I had a lovely letter back from the palace but the princess said it was out of her hands although she wished me luck in what I was trying to do," said John.
"There was not a problem until three years ago when Mr Wallis took over and things were changed. He said it was about numbers but it is not as if there are hundreds of us – at the last count there were just 40 of these passes issued.
"I have been to see him about it but he won't change his mind. We can't afford to go otherwise and this decision has broken our hearts "
"For those of us who know racing it is the big races we want to see.
We are not bothered about seeing pop groups, we want to watch the Guineas and I don't think that's too much to ask for people who have devoted their lives to the sport," he said.
Richard Negus of Racing Welfare said: "We have been lobbying on their behalf but so far to no avail.
"It's a shame that people who have given a lifetime to racing and appreciate the high quality racing Newmarket can produce can't be there for the Group 1 racing."
"As far as I know, Newmarket is the only one of the Jockey Club racecourses around the country, including Cheltenham, to have this policy." said Mr Negus.
Mr Wallis was not available to comment when contacted by the Journal.
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Thursday 09 February 2012
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