Trainers boycott two races at Lingfield on Saturday over ‘disgraceful’ prize-money
Phil McEntee urges ARC to listen as two races on Saturday attract just ONE runner
TRAINERS have boycotted two races at Lingfield on Saturday in the latest twist to the prize-money row.
Several trainers have slammed Arena Racing Company (ARC) in recent days over low levels of prize-money at their tracks.
Yesterday, Charlie Fellowes told Sun Racing that trainers would take action to boycott fixtures at ARC tracks.
And they have been as good as their word, with the final two races attracting just ONE runner.
Nick Litmodden's Greybychoice is the sole declaration in the 1m novice stakes, while the final race on the card, a 5f novice stakes, has attracted no runners.
ARC announced in December that they would slash prize-money by £3 million ahead of the government crackdown on FOBT stakes.
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Trainer Phil McEntee, who has been a vocal critic of ARC and their prize-money structure, was delighted that his colleagues had taken a stand together.
McEntee told Sun Racing: "It's a great result for everybody that the trainers have stood up to ARC.
"This shows it isn't just a gripe from the smaller owners and trainers, its something that effects everybody and it just isn't acceptable.
"If you had a look at the entries for those novices races at the weekend, it shows that it isn't just the small trainers taking action, we are taking a stand together.
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"There were horses bred in the purple for some big owners entered up in the two novice races, which were worth just £4,500 each.
"Roger Charlton had a runner for the Queen - it would give me great pleasure to think the Queen was sat at home supporting us!
"Yes they put on good prize money for the big races and the Good Friday meeting, but the prize money at a lower level is just not acceptable.
"They have to listen to us, they can't just dig their heels in now.
"We are the bread and butter for ARC, they need plenty of runners for their races and we are supplying the product.
"It's not just the trainers and the owners it effects, but it filters through to the staff.
"So myself and other trainers are taking a stand for our owners and our staff.
"ARC get £1,000 a runner through media rights, all we are asking is that we see a bit more of that."