Update on geegeez.co.uk
Dear geegeez.co.uk reader/subscriber,
I wanted to share a quick update with you on where we are in terms of the site seeing out the current hiatus. The summary is that things are looking better than first feared, and all bar an Armageddon scenario should see our ongoing function.
Here's what's been happening:
I've reduced running costs by cutting back to a minimum: staff have kindly paused or reduced their capacity until such time as we're racing again.
I still need help with editorial content and we're still doing some development (so things will look even better, and have still more features, when we return), so there remain some non-essential expenses.
Those have been covered, give or take, by the loyalty of subscribers during this lockdown; and as a result of that we are in much better shape than I expected.
Indeed, assuming a resumption of at least two meetings a day from June, we will be absolutely fine: bloodied, but well able to continue.
At this point nobody knows when things will be back but there is some guarded optimism from BHA that racing could return somewhere between mid- and late May.
The rough timeline of concern here at geegeez.co.uk is as follows:
May resumption - all good
June resumption - all OK
July resumption - all OK
August resumption - just about OK
September resumption - concerning
October resumption - in trouble
The reality is that if we're not racing by June, some racecourses may go under as well as, quite possibly, a fair number of trainers. There is, then, a strong desire both inside racing and in the corridors of Parliament to see the industry (along with hundreds of other industries of course) sustain the least damage possible whilst contributing appropriately to the national and international efforts to combat the pandemic.
That's a verbose way of saying that others - some of them sizeable entities - will be in trouble long before geegeez.co.uk as things stand. For information, the betting on which month will see UK racing resume looks like this:
Although the overround on this - granted, novelty - market is a crippling 23.75%, there is still an implied 75% chance of racing returning before June is out (after normalising the overround to make a 100% book).
We remain in the realms of art more than science in trying to establish what next, but there are plenty of grounds to be cautiously hopeful for a late May/early June restart, perhaps earlier – though that would be best case.
If you've been wondering about geegeez.co.uk (thank you), or about racing's return more generally (me too!), I hope the above adds some colour to the situation.
In all bar a disaster scenario - the ramifications of which would render the loss of a little racing website trivial in the extreme - we'll be back better than ever before the longest day of the year.
Thank you again for your loyalty and ongoing support during what is a trying time for just about all of us.
Until next time, wishing you good health,
Matt
Thanks for the update and for not being tempted to stray into areas of racing where you have little or no knowledge ie USA etc
I hope your regulars keep with you and that in the void you are able to use your fertile brain to come up with even more ways of beating those dastardly bookies
Regards – keep safe
Roy Cowell
Matt, thanks for the update, both about Geegeez and racing in general – I had missed the news about a potential mid- to late-May resumption. You are a class act with your communication and perspective, and it’s great to hear that Geegeez can hold on in all but the worst-case scenario. Cheers and good luck.
Thanks for the update Matt as I was a bit dismayed by the earlier communication a few weeks back about Geegeez folding as it is something I have come to rely on these days having retired in the last year and racing is my passion so great news and hopefully things return to something resembling normality.
Hi Matt, good to see you in better spirits than a few weeks ago, hopefully we wil get back to racing sooner than later. Cannot wait to get cracking again.
Hi Matt, Thanks for the update. I believe the middle of May is when racing will resume, behind closed doors?. I read that the Derby, Oaks and Guineas may take place at a later date (not sure about that) and that Royal Ascot maybe run behind closed doors. Some of you guys out there maybe more informed on that. I think Geegeez will come through OK as a top notch site will stand the test of adversity. Unlike about 500 ‘experts’ who have suddenly come out of the woodwork, peddling US, Aussie and Hong Kong racing. How could Geegeez not survive those shysters.
Thanks taggyboy.
Mid-May is the best case: as I understand it, a resumption on that date would need Government to ease lockdown rules on 5th May and, further, would need for lobbying to take place to agree to the restart. So a lot would have to align for 15th May. Let’s hope it does. Those daily deaths need to come down a LOT in the next week if that’s to happen, I fear.
Matt
Matt , Thanks very much for the update , in a way , I am glad for the break because I am still learning where to
concentrate on to be as successful against the enemy as some other members in GEEGEEZ .
Hopefully I will learn , Brian .
Hi Matt,
Thanks for the update on racing and, more importantly, GeeGeez. Hopefully, resumption will be soon, not just for we racing zealots but for people like you who enhance our experience of the sport and depend on it to live and support families. There are so many people dependent on the sport for a living, from trainers, jockeys, valets, jockey drivers, stable lads/girls, farriers and many others I’ve not even thought of, though hopefully horses are still well cared for. Many may have the benefit of “furloughing” but I would surmise that many do not and are struggling.
So many depend on the sport/”industry” that the sooner it returns the better, as long as there is no deleterious effect on those struggling with this horrible virus and, hopefully, a return to racing will coincide with an easing of the suffering from this virus
Best wishes and onwards and upwards,
Rob Stevens
Thanks Matt that’s some really great news amidst the sadness and I’m pleased things are better than you thought they would be. Thanks for everything you continue to do.
Hopefully death figures will drop soon and continue to do so. The medics/scientists will likely be keen in a lock down for a prolonged period of time. The Government whilst taking this into account also know that there is a breaking point for jobs and the economy and so they will have to ease restrictions before the medics and scientists wish them to. Testing needs to be done but of the right type of sample of people rather than mass volume. It seems that the Government will have to ease restrictions after the current period of lock down is over? Horse racing behind closed doors will still involve a significant number of people onsite, especially for meetings such as The Derby or Royal Ascot. Those attending would need to be tested before attending I would have thought and tested every day they are there.
If there is to be a significant second wave then we need to dip our toes into the water to test for it and take action from there.
Hopefully will be racing and enjoying some other sports next month.
Best of luck to all. Martin
Great news Matt , you deserve for your site to continue and flourish. I am so pleased to hear that you are positive about the future of your excellent site .Stay safe and well in these troubled times.