Why does The Chronicle not cover racing?

[farmgate]

I and I think others, would enjoy news and stories on the tracks, trainers, owners and of course, the horses.
This is a sport that deserves attention regularly not just at Derby time.

[Beverley]

They used to, but dropped it quite a while back- geez, early 90s at least if not before that, time flies when you're having fun. And had great coverage- before they dropped it, Peter Winants' annual incorrect Derby handicapping was always a good read. Made me unhappy too, but there you go, magazines go with what pays the rent, which is, well, showing first, eventing second, I think. Hunting gets less and less coverage, in part failure of the hunters to send in articles! (plus MFHA now has Covertside going).

If it were up to me, it would be nothing but racing (flat and o/f), hunting, eventing, major show jumping and major shows/ events in all disciplines (I do also enjoy reading about driving, endurance, vaulting). And articles by Cooky McClung and Heather Smith Thomas. But it ain't. Up to me that is. :)

Nostalgia ain't what it used to be...

Edited to add, I just learned via FOL that Peter Winants passed away yesterday. Sad news.

[Drvmb1ggl3]

The Chronicle does, and always has, covered racing. It's part of their logo at the top of the page...... "Breeding, Dressage, Hunting, Showing, Chasing, Eventing".
It has never covered flat racing in any major sense.

[LaurieB]

In the 50s, 60s, and 70s, their stallion issue was devoted to all the major TB racing sires. There were pages and pages of pictures--something like 24 stallion pictures to a page--and I always loved reading through and sighing over them. The Chronicle was probably my first exposure to horse racing in an up close and personal way--at least it seemed that way to a 5 year old. :yes: I certainly understand the need to pay the bills, but I do miss the days when they had more flat racing coverage.

[ArtilleryHill]

Such terrible news about Peter Winants! A true horseman, scholar, and gentleman. They don't make them like that anymore. He will be very sadly missed by so many. Thanks for posting the news.

[linquest]

COTH still covers racing over fences but not on the flat. I imagine it doesn't for the same reason it doesn't cover saddleseat, they can only cover so many disciplines/sports. Plus, there are so many publications dedicated to racing, it just probably won't garner enough new subscribers to make the additional expenditures worth it for the magazine.

[VirginiaBred]

In the 50s, 60s, and 70s, their stallion issue was devoted to all the major TB racing sires. There were pages and pages of pictures--something like 24 stallion pictures to a page--and I always loved reading through and sighing over them. The Chronicle was probably my first exposure to horse racing in an up close and personal way--at least it seemed that way to a 5 year old. :yes: I certainly understand the need to pay the bills, but I do miss the days when they had more flat racing coverage.

Mine too, and I loved it.

I also wish there was more dedication to the sport.

[SteeleRdr]

COTH still covers racing over fences but not on the flat. I imagine it doesn't for the same reason it doesn't cover saddleseat, they can only cover so many disciplines/sports. Plus, there are so many publications dedicated to racing, it just probably won't garner enough new subscribers to make the additional expenditures worth it for the magazine.

Even the coverage of the jump racing is minimal, in my opinion. I would love for the COTH to cover the hunt meets more, but they tend to really focus on the sanctioned races, and just publish the results of the hunt meets. For my jump racing news though, I usually read the Steeplechase Times, which they also cover some flat racing, and the whole Saratoga meet. Also enjoy reading Hunter's Rest's column on Virginiaequestrian.com. The Horse of the Delaware Valley also covers jump racing a bit more in depth than the COTH. I've definitely seen a decrease in their coverage over the past 10 years. Lots more national hunter/jumper stuff, some eventing, some dressage, and minimal hunting (except the hunt roster issue).

[Beverley]

It has never covered flat racing in any major sense.

Not so- but you have to go pretty far back. Point to point coverage used to be much more extensive, too.

[Madeline]

Not so- but you have to go pretty far back. Point to point coverage used to be much more extensive, too.

And considerably more timely, as well. Used to be back in the good old days, the P to P and NSHA racing writeups with pictures showed up the Friday after the races happened. Now there is just a blurb and the real coverage eventually shows up...

Fortunately, Equibase, Steeplechase Times, the NSA website and the internet in general have filled the gap.

[Larksmom]

H&H seems to cover all factions of riding in the UK. There are several racing papers, one of which I used to subscribe to, here in thye US, but I am a casual fan. Not financially involved and so could not afford it. I liked it when COTH did cover racing, but there are probably people out there who wish we did more on Polo and Vaulting too. It is so expensive to cover all these. I wonder if they were covered by 'stringers' they could get in? Maybe not racing, there is too much of that available for consumption, but maybe steeplechasing.

Very sad news about Peter Winants.
I got to meet him in '86. I know how much he loved 'chasing. A sad loss.

[BAC]

It has never covered flat racing in any major sense.

It did at one time, you are probably just to young. I can remember seeing pictures of both Alydar and Affirmed as two year olds in COTH.

[lauriep]

Yup, COTH is where I got my racing info!

[Ghazzu]

As has been said, it used to cover racing.
Sure did when I began reading it in the '60s.

I wish they'd return to it.

[lolalola]

Maybe letters to the editor asking them to include a few racing stories, especially if they involved people who are or have been in other disciplines - Rodney Jenkins, Michael Matz, et al? Maybe they could interview Neal Shapiro about STB racing!

[Linny]

There is SO much racing to cover that Thoroughbred Times and Blood Horse even miss big stories, so comprehensive coverage might not be possible but I agree that stories about racing that tie closely to the Chronicle's "standard" fare would be nice. In fact I have noticed some connections lately. Last year following Big Brown's much discussed foot issues COTH did a big article about corrective farriery.

There are many points of crossover, from issues regarding OTTB's to human connections like the trainers Lola mentioned to owners like Geo. Strawbridge and even land use issues etc.

[Evalee Hunter]

I have a suspicion that if well-written articles were submitted to the Chronicle on topics suggested (such as current race horse trainers who formerly competed at the upper levels of the one of the "Chronicle sports"), the Chronicle would be pleased to consider the article, especially if the writer made it clear they were not requesting payment. It is very difficult for a publication to cover every angle & these are difficult economic times, very difficult, for the print media.

I think the suggestion lolalola made is one of best on this thread regarding possible topics. I believe Tim Richey was an upper level eventer many years ago before he became a race trainer. There are probably others as well.