Paddy Power defends new £1.5m Jockeys’ Cup after criticism from owners
PADDY POWER has staunchly defended the new £1.5million jockeys' competition, despite criticism from owners.
The David Power Jockeys' Cup offers riders the chance to compete for points in ITV-televised races, culminating in a £500,000 top prize for the winner.
While trainers and stable staff are also set to benefit, the initiative has drawn criticism from the Racehorse Owners Association, whose chief executive, Louise Norman, expressed disappointment at the lack of recognition or rewards for owners.
Norman remarked: "Whilst we fully support and understand the need for the industry to be innovative in order that it improves engagement and raises its profile, the ROA is disappointed that the new David Power Jockeys’ Cup has not taken into consideration any recognition or reward for racehorse owners who, as the largest investors into the industry, are yet again overlooked during any discussions or communications."
However, Flutter Entertainment's brand ambassador, Paddy Power, defended the initiative, calling it a positive and forward-thinking addition to the sport.
Speaking on behalf of the bookmaker Paddy Power said: "I'd be absolutely respectful of every stakeholder but I think there's a bigger picture and this is good news.
"It's innovative, something new and not replacing something else. It's something extra."
He continued to emphasise the broader benefits for the racing industry: "If there's more eyeballs on the sport that's great.
"People start following it better and maybe the audience profile becomes a bit younger. There's a lot of knock-on benefits to it. What's good for the sport is good for everyone.
"Without owners there would be no racing, without trainers there would be no racing and without jockeys there would be no racing, so everybody is really important.
"I think on reflection this is a new £1.5million investment, not coming from somewhere else, going into a prize fund to create a new initiative."
Paddy Power also suggested could boost the sport's popularity by making jockeys more relatable and engaging to fans: "Hopefully, it'll make more personalities out of these guys, make them more accessible and recognisable to people watching at home.
"If you think about it, they're the constants. We'll have loads of horses and colours on a race-day, but these are the ones who will be here the next day and the day after that. They'll be different horses and colours. In terms of following a narrative, this is what people can relate to.
"That'll make it more and more exciting as the season goes on and in an ideal world, we'll get two, three or four jockeys fighting it out in the last few weeks and it becomes a good storyline for the Champions series.
"If you look at other sports, the way they've connected with their audience, expanded them and re-engaged the existing fanbase, it just works. There's no reason it can't work for racing."
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