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Sexism and snobbery: New research reveals class system reigns in racing

June 17, 2002

As Royal Ascot approaches, the closest most people have come to the racecourse is the local betting shop. Despite the breakdown of traditional class barriers, new research by Dr Rebecca Cassidy of Goldsmiths College, University of London, has revealed that in the secretive world of horseracing, elitism, not to mention sexism, is alive and kicking.

It might be not be surprising that a society that worships stallions has problems valuing women as anything more than `mobile incubators` - a term used by Dr. Cassidy's informant. Thoroughbred reproduction ensures that women, and mares, are bit part players, whilst the stallion is King. In 2001 Storm Cat, the most expensive stallion in the world at the time cost $400,000 a `jump`. If he produces 70 foals, his owner nets $28million!

In 2000, in the breeding paddocks of the UK and Ireland, 30,000 thoroughbred mares and 1,000 stallions produced 14,000 foals. This information is recorded in the General Stud Book, first published 1791. The book is the first record of any breed of any species, even predating the compulsory recording of human births and deaths in England by more than 46 years!

Comments Dr Cassidy "It`s this obsession: that `blood will tell`, that will be played out at Royal Ascot - both amongst the equine and human contingent, and goes some way towards explaining the class structure of racing."

Key Statistics*
�        Racing is the most televised sport in Britain
�        £5billion was bet off-course in 2000/01 and a further £84million bet on-course
�        Government received some £340m in betting duty on off-course betting turnover in 2000/01
�        Prize money to be won in horse racing topped £72 million in 2000
�        There are 7,422 races at the 59 British racecourses over 323 racing days in the yearly calendar

*British Horseracing Board`s website: www.bhb.co.uk

Goldsmiths College, University of London

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