Racing 'friends' under starter's orders

SCOTTISH Racing, the umbrella group which represents Scotland's five horseracing tracks, believes the establishment of an informal but influential "Friends of Scottish Racing Group" could help further boost both the industry north of the Border and the overall Scottish economy.

The group, which plans to meet three times a year, features a number of MSPs, as well as the managers and chairmen of all the Scottish tracks and representatives from the Racehorse Owners' Association (Scotland).

Jonathan Garratt, commercial manager for Scottish Racing, said the organisation had been working closely with a number of government agencies, including Scottish Enterprise, Scottish Executive Environment and Rural Affairs Department and VisitScotland, "for some time".

But he said the creation of the "friends" would help "complete the circle of understanding" between the racing industry and all the agencies it works with.

John Scott, the MSP for Ayr, who helped establish the political involvement in FSRG and hosted its first gathering, said: "Scottish racing has been a real success story in recent years. It is a key part of our tourism industry in Scotland, as well as a significant employer in rural areas."