Ruby Walsh: Who will end up footing bill for HRI prize money hikes?

Racing in the UK has been run into the ground and everything we are doing here is a mirror of what happened there 15 years ago.

Maybe HRI should place an accumulator to cover the cost of prize money increases. Pic: Shauna Clinton/Sportsfile

January! I know lots of people hate it, but it's not all bad, because it's only 11 days to the Thyestes, 14 days to Cheltenham Trials Day, 21 to the Dublin Racing Festival, and 58 to the Festival. I know the latest storm, beginning with G, has hit, which also means the one beginning with H will be on the way. Payday is probably 20 days away for most people, but the last month of winter can be the longest, and we all need something to dream about.

I fully understand that your health is your wealth, but wouldn’t a little windfall in mid-March be the perfect tonic to set up the summer? We would all love that — just something unexpected to make 2026 a little different. That’s reality, but I never thought Horse Racing Inc. might need it. Still, upon reading recent HRI reports, it appears their finances need to hit the jackpot even sooner to keep footing the bill for their planned activities.