France Galop Delays Vote on Racecourse Closures

France Galop has delayed implementing controversial plans to streamline the country's racecourses, following demands from across the industry to allow more time before taking any final decision. The plan to make many provincial racecourses specialize in either flat or jump racing—accompanied by the controversial closure of four racecourses—was put forward last week by the task force, a five-person group entrusted by France Galop president Guillaume de Saint-Seine with finding solutions to the sport's growing budget deficit. The proposals were due to have been finalized at a series of council and committee meetings within the existing France Galop structure by the end of the month, but Saint-Seine says he has listened to concerns from many of the courses affected, as well as trainers and other racing professionals, and has now allowed additional time for all views to be heard. "Over the last few days I have had an increased number of discussions with racing's players across every region of France," said Saint-Seine. "I have listened to their request for more time to conduct discussions over such an important subject." Saint-Seine has postponed the France Galop board meeting of Sept. 25, which was originally the point at which final plans would be voted on. While the task force's Stephanie Daburon underlined last week that her working group's proposals were open to discussion and refinement, it is clear that there is still plenty of detail to be fought over. While Saint-Seine's message was conciliatory, he concluded by underlining the serious nature of French racing's budgetary crisis, one that has led to the creation of the task force and the search for meaningful savings. "The fall in betting revenues from the PMU forces us to take a very serious look at all our costs," said Saint-Seine. "We have to find a real balance, to continue to finance prize money and preserve the premium races which underpin the entire industry. "Some decisions will be difficult and some courses face real difficulties. It is precisely for that reason that we will take more time. Before asking for irreversible sacrifices, we must be sure that we have studied every possible solution and that we have saved everything that we can."