So that monopoly doesn’t kill our local horse markets!

SME – By Faisal Ahmed Al-Asiri At a time when the Saudi domestic horse industry faces new challenges on the ground, with clear negative repercussions for all stakeholders, ultimately resulting in a decline in the number of annual foals born, we have begun to notice some signs of this in recent times, with some middle-class and lower-class horse breeders and producers leaving the market, prices declining, and many mares being transferred to incubators for other production activities. This has undoubtedly created a state of fear among others of confronting monopoly and its influence, and a need to find ways to escape its dangerous tools (acquisition, control, and domination) that threaten their ambitions and survival in the local horse industry. This industry has gone through many stages from its true beginnings with the completion of registration of Saudi domestic production in the International Horse Studbook “Wetherby’s” in the mid-1990s to the present day. This problem has become a real problem on a global level, as Britain, the “oldest” in the world of the thoroughbred horse industry, previously announced the injection of more than 5 million pounds sterling into racing prizes, in an attempt to reverse the worrying trend of declining racehorse numbers. Colin Price, owner of the famous Laundry Cottage farm, which produces the quality stallion “Woton Bassett”, confirmed in a statement to the “Racing Post” newspaper that the danger of declining foal births in Britain will put most small and even medium-sized breeders on the verge of extinction. Ed Player, owner of Woton Manor Farm, agrees with this opinion, pointing out that it is a scenario in which the traditional wealthy will also be pushed to the brink of the abyss. Due to the economics of the sport in Britain, Philip Newton, President of the Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association, warned of the impact on the racing, prize-giving, and auction calendars. This is due to the expected decline in the British foal crop by a significant 25% between 2022 and 2026. In addition, Nick Smith, Director of Racing and Public Affairs at Ascot, stated that the lack of horses registered for Classic races is an indicator of the bloated racing schedule and the decline in horse numbers. In America, the world leader in breeding purebred foals, businessman and horse owner Mike Repole launched a fierce attack on the American Jockey Club via his X account. This followed the recent Tipton Saratoga auction, which saw sales increase by 23% due to high demand and low supply. Repole accused industry leaders of greed and destroying the middle and lower markets for the sport, after the number of foals dropped from 50,000 to less than 20,000. He described himself as a “foolish” buyer who was not surprised by the high numbers, considering them accurate evidence of inflation, not prosperity, the result of an expensive exclusive game in which the wealthy become richer, while the medium and small markets die. The fear of a decline in Saudi foal births and the resulting future consequences highlights the urgent need for breeders and producers of medium- and lower-class horses to create an ideal and safe environment for production and breeding operations. This can be achieved through a variety of initiatives and programs, including, for example, the establishment of national farms or centers dedicated to breeding and producing horses. Or partner with the private sector to benefit from successful experiences, achieving optimal investment in the unlimited support provided by our wise leadership (may God protect them) to the equestrian sector through the efforts of the Equestrian Authority. These efforts stem from the connection between equestrianism and horses and all components of society, from its first kings to the common citizen, as a historical legacy of the Saudi people. This is achieved through achieving the desired sporting, cultural, social, and economic interests, as a prominent message in its profile on its website. A hymn… Sultan Al-Saad describes the champion “Arooqit” by saying: Coming at dawn Like the poems of our ancestors Like their dreams Like a cloud devouring the sun. “For those who don’t know Faisal” – He is a horse owner and veteran horse racing journalist. – He worked with me, Abdullah Al-Harazi, as managing editor of Al-Sabaq magazine for more than ten years. – He was editor of the equestrian page in Al-Riyadiyah newspaper for many years.