Having raced nearly 200 racehorses since 1983, I have quit. Why? Not being a betting man, I still have a basic understanding of how the bookies set their books, and it’s getting harder for an owner to “round the book.”

In a nutshell the odds of “rounding the book” for a realistic and enjoyable hobby/enterprise are diminishing. The cost to race horses (outgoings) are exceeding prize money (income) and the ratio has become out of balance. A stockbroker would say the P/E is unrealistic – so sell!

This has occurred primarily because often the unemployed, and often unemployable, are safely secured in the cushy roles in racing administration and have their feet detached from the ground. This is further highlighted by the reluctance of RVL committee members, as recently reported in the dailies, to step aside and allow fresh blood and fresh thinking to take over the baton.

Think hard about it, why is there a reluctance to go? Surely these gerrymander based appointments are not a licence for life involvement? Why do we have leading trainers/owners finally standing up to be counted with their admonishment of the status quo? This is not completely self centred, but clearly driven by commercial realities and grassroots feedback from the collective major players from “struggle street”, airing their views.

If Rob Hulls has any balls he would rid the temple, and go back to the basics – and that’s what the real people who pay for the show want. A trainer and owner don’t want too much, but just a fighting chance to stay in the game for a while, slim as it is. Having been a committee member of a successful country racing club, I have seen the arrogance of the RVL close up and personal.

In my view, and as my father used to say in football terms, “These blokes wouldn’t get a kick in Jack Holt’s stable.” Allow racing control to be in the hands of the people who put on the real show. They are seeking successful outcomes for every single person involved – everyone. Their future depends on this premise. Let them down now and racing will suffer the ultimate consequences.

It’s time to reinvent and invigorate the racing industry.