David Crosse - Let TV continue to promote the positive | Trainer Magazine | European Trainer Article Index

Oct 6

Oct 6 David Crosse - Let TV continue to promote the positive

NATURALLY mistakes will occur and some decisions I make will be wrong but it’s very similar to driving your car as fast as it can possibly go through heavy city traffic, while negotiating ten others trying to do the same thing at the same time. See how mistakes can happen?  Across Europe, where newspaper coverage is falling, all major racing countries are increasing the TV exposure dedicated to horse racing. This is excellent for promoting the sport and a great opportunity to develop new fans. Therefore it is vital to utilise this coverage in the most engaging way to appeal to a range of viewers.  However, from a jockeys perspective, certain coverage is more desirable than others. It is terribly frustrating when, from time to time, we are openly criticised for a wider audience to pull apart certain rides saying this jockey caused this horse to lose, that horse to fall and so on.  If anyone stands down by the last fence in a race you will see how committed each jockey is as they fire themselves at a five- foot fence at 30 miles an hour in an attempt to win. I’m not so audacious as to say we do no wrong but it is very hard to see your efforts lambasted, especially by someone with no experience of physically doing the job of a jockey.  Spectators seem to lose sight of the fact that this is horse racing – it’s a game of chance and horses are not machines. I do understand pundits and journalists have a job to do themselves and they need to comment objectively on a sport which so much of is hard to understand without experience. However, they don’t necessarily have to be negative and controversial to be good. On British TV an excellent example is Clare Balding, who is considering giving up commentating on racing as she is climbing the ladder so fast. It will be a massive loss to the sport if she goes. She is very knowledgeable and a top-class presenter who always shows racing in a good light and is a great anchor, presenting the facts as they are. There are enough contentious incidents in our game: we do not need other people involved in racing adding to it.  John Francome was a top-class presenter too. He always told it as it was. Similarly, Ted Walsh for Irish viewers would be in the same bracket but the best bit about him is that he can come out with anything. Entertaining!  These people have plenty of attributes in common. They are all from horse-related backgrounds and are entertaining characters. I firmly believe it is their passion and understanding of horses and the sport that makes them a fair presenter.  In my view, Attheraces still have a few good presenters and characters but the other channels can be dull viewing. Racing should not just revolve around the betting and exchanges – when a favourite gets beaten, the programme is dedicated to dissecting this race. Unfortunately this format is repeated day in, day out, and narrows the audience appeal.  Racing needs to use its personalities to keep the sport alive – from the eccentric, wacky individuals to the consummate professionals who describe the sport in tremendous detail.  In conclusion we have got to understand that the television is the window to the soul of our sport. We have also got to cherish the presenter who we remember for their style and charisma and their ability to relate to us. Racing is amazing, fast and beautiful. It sets the heart blazing on the coldest winter morning. Let’s keep promoting that – not whoever can ruffle the most feathers.

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