Steve Drowne fears for future of racing

The great myth of horseracing is that the game is the regal and royal 'sport of kings'.

Those who rake in the lion's share of racing's profits and the people who market the industry would prefer it if followers stuck to the notion of the sport as it has existed for ages: seven-figure championship races, fancy hats and big cigars.

But like so many certainties of the turf, these images don't represent the reality. As he prepares to ride Roger Charlton's Marlinka in tomorrow's Group 2 Queen Mary Stakes - a tasty desert to the substantial main course that is the clash between Byword, Twice Over and Mawatheeq in the Group 1 Prince of Wales's Stakes - jockey Steve Drowne tells of a harsher reality: There is too much racing and too little prize money.

"It's no good going the way we are. Racing needs a big shake-up, like the Arabs pulling out perhaps. Something has to be done soon because the game is going to implode," warned Drowne.

Straightforward, uncomplicated and greatly respected by his weighing room colleagues, Drowne is a reluctant spokesman and, at 38, is not some weary veteran with an axe to grind.

So when racing's Mr Affable says there is a problem, the sport should be worried. "It's definitely getting harder," added Drowne, even during these tough economic times.

"Whereas five years ago maidens were winning five-and-a-half grand, now they are winning two grand. Your income has halved and the big races are harder to win because the good horses are centred at few stables.

"Racing needs its own revenue stream. It needs to be in control of a strong Tote and a betting exchange where punters get favourable odds. The Tote's percentage take out is far too much, so it isn't attractive to punters.