MOULIN DE La Croix was the benefactor of walkover at Worcester last night as trainers registered their dissatisfaction with prize money by boycotting the partex-direct.co.ukNovices' Hurdle.
Twelve horses were declared for the concluding contest of the evening, but as the race fell below the level set out in the Horsemen’s Group tariff by €1,130, 11 horses were withdrawn earlier in the day.
The movement was organised by trainer Charlie Mann and had the backing of the likes of Nicky Henderson, David Pipe and Donald McCain.
The Nigel Twiston-Davies-trained Moulin De La Croix took to the racecourse alone and only had to canter the final furlong to collect the full prize fund of €3,800.
Jockey Sam Twiston-Davies gave a victory salute passing the post and even performed two Frankie Dettori-like flying dismounts on returning to the winner’s enclosure.
The delegation of trainers decided to let one horse run rather than withdrawing all 12 so the prize-money could be collected and distributed between the trainers, who will face fines.
Gary Moore was not fined for withdrawing Cabimas, who ran the previous day at Uttoxeter. But Mann, Henderson, Pipe, McCain, Philip Hobbs, Venetia Williams, Alan King, Jonjo O’Neill, Séamus Mullins and Evan Williams all received fines of €177.
Mann said earlier in the day: “The tariffs have been set and it’s unacceptable that we’re racing for the prize-money that we are.
“Racecourses’ turnover was up last year and this year and bookmakers are making profits. We’re providing a product for these companies and we’re not getting any return, which is wrong.
“They have to understand that without us, owners and trainers, they can’t perform. It will happen again next week and the week after as far as I’m concerned. Until we get this prize-money up.”
Seventeen-time champion jockey Tony McCoy was never due to ride in the race, but he has gave his full backing to the boycott when speaking on course.
He said: “It’s a bit disappointing it’s had to come to this, but you have to look at the bigger picture for the good of the sport.
“Owners aren’t in this business to make money, but you have to give them some incentive to have a horse. The last meeting here at Worcester there were eight races and five of them were worth around £1,500 to the winner.
“Arena Leisure said this morning that they were putting virtually all of their income back into prize-money. Well if that’s the case, I can’t understand why a multi-million pound empire like the Reuben brothers (owners of Arena and Northern racing) would want to buy into a business that’s barely wiping it’s face.
“The calculations in my mind are not going right somewhere, so I think the trainers are right to take a stand.
* Aidan O’Brien’s 11 to 10 favourite After finished third in the Group Three Brownstown Stakes at Naas last night as 3 to 1 shot Marvada took the honours in the refixed race. The 25 to 1 shot Caprella finished second.
