(This editorial, written by Petr Guth, appeared a few days ago in the Czech-language pages of Dostihový svět)

The preparations for the new season are in full flow, and feverish activity can be sensed in various places behind the scenes. Everyone is aware that the situation in [Czech] society is not so rosy, and that horseracing seems to reflect this situation better than a litmus test. And since it is clear that money is the paramount consideration, questions like “Where are we going to get the cash from?” are more to the point than ever.

It is clear that sources are drying up, and that this finding brings little satisfaction to anyone. There are not so many ways out of this tricky situation. Everyone involved will be looking for ways in the days to come. It may be fine to believe that a solution will be found, but belief alone may not be enough. The popular 1990s spectre of the safety belt being withdrawn is clearly stalking horseracing, and is creeping up even closer. This is the reason for the drop in prizemoney for the classic races, and it does not seem as if new organisers and sponsors are presenting themselves.

It is fantastic that, in this situation, there are dozens and hundreds of people who know exactly how to go about making things better. Do you think that in the coming days a force will emerge that will unite everybody, and that we will all start pulling hard on the same rope?  That would be fine, but to me personally it sounds improbable, to put it mildly. I just hope we are not going to get into the state of trench warfare that the organisers of trotting got into last year. That could ruin everything. Paradoxically, that is what no-one wants...