Clouds of uncertainty loom over Lahore horseracing circles.

Byline: Aftab Gilani

LAHORE -- The mood in the Lahore horseracing circles is sombre these days as clouds of uncertainty looms large over the future of equine sport.

The owners and breeders here are greatly worried and distressed due to closure of the horseracing activities following the spread of novel coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic. Subsequently, the sport was suspended as necessitated step following the government clamped for a lockdown on March 14 for safety and protection of the people from the killer virus.

Since then the horsemen are feeling the pinch of the sport halt which took place right in the middle of the Lahore Winter Meeting was in full swing and every owner or trainer was hoping for a reward of his toil ln sharing the slices of the prize-money cake.

Horse owners while talking to Dawn on Saturday said they had conditioned their bloodstock spending huge amounts of money after buying colts and fillies. Some affluent owners imported fillies and colts at huge costs while hoping they will be compensated by winning laurels but the breakout of the virus has dashed their dreams.

They said their woes do not end here. On the one hand majority of owners who are not so affluent are under duress for the incurring expenditure to maintain their bloodstock without any return for over three and a half months while on the other it added to their woes in the shape of buying fodder and grain - which are offered in the market at higher price than before.

The government had taken a generous step by twice reducing price of gasoline and petroleum products but it made little effect on the prices of grain, feed and fodder.

They lamented the monopolistic trends and cartels had such a strong grip which look the likely symptoms of the malady affecting food and agriculture. This situation, according to their analysis, may be the likely result of misguided policies and action taken in the past that is a clear indication.

They said the agri-market is a paradoxical one. Each new sign of distress leads to new action usually leads to new distress. Efforts to stabilize prices often fail to yield positivity, including the steps like price-support programme and the export of subsidies.

They said unfair and disruptive trade practices have become a standard which needs to be dealt with heavy hand under the laws. The problem might not be described in a manner looking overwhelming, the outlook is not totally dismal. The remedy is possible with the cooperation of all...