Ashburton Club’s Loss On Racing

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29908, 23 August 1962, Page 4

Ashburton Club’s Loss On Racing

The Ashburton County Racing Club lost more than £2BO on racing during the year, said Mr C. A. B. Pilbrow, commenting on the report to the annual meeting of the club yesterday. In his report the chairman (Mr R. J. Mulligan) said tha; the club had made a profit of £368 7s 6d for the year. “Farming operations showed a return of £406 and I am not sure that this money should be included in the general account,” said Mr Pilbrow. “The money should be placed in a special fund and used for purposes such as amenities.” As it was, it was not right that the racing conference and ' public should be told that the club made a profit when it had made a loss on the racing side, said Mr Pilbrow.

Mr G. B. Trolove supported Mr Pilbrow and said that the profit shown gave a false impression on the club's racing activities. “Our loss on racing would not be as high as it is if the cost of the farming operations was taken out.” said Mr Mulligan. The farming costs were included In the racing account. Much of the work of the caretaker was connected with the farming operations, he said. The farming had not always shown a profit and when this had occurred the loss was carried by the club, said Mr J. H. Grigg. Few Hones Training

Although the club had excellent training facilities, there were practically no horses in training, said Mr Mulligan, in his address “We would welcome trainers to our district because horses trained locally would create considerable interest amongst members and .the

public who could watch the horses’ preparation. This would encourage local ownership,” he said. The club was grateful to owners and trainers for the good support they had given and was sorry it could not make larger increases in stakes to compensate for the present high cost of training Although the profit for the year wag not very large, the club had a reasonably successful year, spending a considerable amount on improvements. The cost of keeping the grounds, track and buildings in first-class order was high, said Mr Mulligan. He paid a tribute to Mr J. T. Thomas, who relinquished office on the committee and as a steward after many years of association with the club.