INTERVIEW-Horse racing-Time for industry to unite, says Player

By Mark Lamport-Stokes

ARCADIA, California, Nov 11 (Reuters) - Golfing great Gary Player has called on the horse racing industry to unite more than ever before to help combat the effects of the global economic downturn.

Player, a nine-times major winner as a golfer and a renowned horse breeder in his native South Africa, believes self-interest has to be set aside for the sake of the common good.

"The horse racing industry is having a problem like all businesses are today," Player, 74, told Reuters in a recent interview. "So this is the time when we have all got to get together and contribute to help it be sustainable.

"We go through phases in life but I believe what the horse racing industry needs right now is a convention of people -- the media, breeders and businessmen - all with one purpose in mind.

"What do we do to improve the horse industry? I've got ideas and there are so many other ideas out there. Above all, I firmly believe we've got to bring the youth in."

Betting on horse racing has traditionally been considered recession-proof but that is no longer the case in the United States, mainly because of the proliferation of casinos.

In the last year, there has been a steep decline in betting while auction prices have plummeted. Many of the best known race tracks in the U.S. are up for sale, including California's venerable Santa Anita Park, venue for last week's Breeders' Cup.

Player attended the 26th Breeders' Cup world championships and was critical of two notable absentees from the two-day programme, a sharp reminder in his mind of what not to do in tough economic times.