DRF sold

[outofthebox]

Originally Posted by cj

It has been a while since I said on Byk's show that my stuff will replace Moss, but it going to happen and it this point it is sooner rather than later. Things got put on hold as people can probably imagine with the announcement today.

Does this mean it would be foolish to pay for both subscriptions when the time comes?

[GMB@BP]

Originally Posted by outofthebox

Does this mean it would be foolish to pay for both subscriptions when the time comes?

Well if its in Formulator thats quite a difference in unlimited price plans! Even the regular full digital form is a few bucks per card.

[cj]

Originally Posted by outofthebox

Does this mean it would be foolish to pay for both subscriptions when the time comes?

I don't know what all will be included other than the pace figures themselves. I'm just the figure guy.

[Aerocraft67]

It's foreboding to get acquired by a private equity concern, but the move makes sense. DRF has been up against a double whammy as a media play covering a topic of contracting interest. Media has undergone a difficult transformation to the internet, and most of the folks still left playing the game are jaded and ornery.

DRF's 123-year legacy can't make it any easier to navigate the transition, but the legacy brand is certainly worth something. The ADW aside, what is DRF without Watchmaker, Illman, Beer, Russo? It also has strong young talent like Bernier. Any housecleaning is highly unlikely to involve the talent.

Given the contracting media and racing environment, private equity buyout makes sense. There'll be some pain no doubt, but seems like the way we hit the reset button in situations like this. There's still value there in decline, but you need to restructure to realize it.

I hope it goes well. Z Capital has some experience with gambling concerns, which is a positive.

[Aerocraft67]

Originally Posted by Aerocraft67

Z Capital has some experience with gambling concerns, which is a positive.

Actually, the portfolio is diverse (restaurants, industrial manufacturers, etc.), but the only media play I saw in there was a religious publisher. The gaming tranche includes casinos and a fantasy sports site. There are a few automotive performance/racing concerns, so I guess there's a racing angle.

[PaceAdvantage]

First off, DRF was owned by a private equity firm prior to this sale, were they not?

Secondly, for those predicting the end of the print product...LMAO

You really have no clue.

That's not happening in anyone's foreseeable future.

[Aerocraft67]

Good point about change of hands rather than dropping into private equity for the first time. That Bloomberg article suggests roughly 50% reduction in valuation in the transaction. It also notes 5 million print copies sold last year, so, yeah, improving the digital offering won't likely include 86ing the print book any time soon.

[classhandicapper]

Speaking as a horse player, IMO this a very good development for DRF and its customers long term. The new ownership is looking to make significant investments in the growth of the company. IMO, having this kind of financial strength behind DRF is going to accelerate changes for the better in a variety of ways, but especially for customers if people are patient.

[dilanesp]

Originally Posted by PaceAdvantage

First off, DRF was owned by a private equity firm prior to this sale, were they not?

Secondly, for those predicting the end of the print product...LMAO

You really have no clue.

That's not happening in anyone's foreseeable future.

+1

Anyone who attends the races live will see tons of horseplayers using the printed product. If you get to the track 30 minutes before the first race you will see horseplayers purchasing the product. And if you leave after the race you will see horseplayers purchasing tomorrow's product.

The print edition of the Racing Form has plenty of life left in it.

[thaskalos]

Originally Posted by classhandicapper

Speaking as a horse player, IMO this a very good development for DRF and its customers long term. The new ownership is looking to make significant investments in the growth of the company. IMO, having this kind of financial strength behind DRF is going to accelerate changes for the better in a variety of ways, but especially for customers if people are patient.

The businesses that depend on the "patience" of their customers usually don't fare too well in today's ultra-competitive marketplace. The handicappers who have abandoned the DRF have gone their separate ways with other handicapping-data choices...and they aren't likely to "wait" for the DRF to get its act together. IMO...this recent takeover will affect the DRF employees a lot more than it will the customers.

[thaskalos]

Originally Posted by dilanesp

+1

Anyone who attends the races live will see tons of horseplayers using the printed product. If you get to the track 30 minutes before the first race you will see horseplayers purchasing the product. And if you leave after the race you will see horseplayers purchasing tomorrow's product.

The print edition of the Racing Form has plenty of life left in it.

There was a time when the DRF was considered to be the "bible of the industry"...and with good reason. But now...it has been relegated to the "minor player" position...IMO. At the "live outlets" that I frequent...the simulcast programs outsell the DRF by a ratio of at least 20-1. And online, where the past performances are free for the bettors...I would hazard to guess that the ratio is even larger than that.

[classhandicapper]

Originally Posted by thaskalos

The businesses that depend on the "patience" of their customers usually don't fare too well in today's ultra-competitive marketplace. The handicappers who have abandoned the DRF have gone their separate ways with other handicapping-data choices...and they aren't likely to "wait" for the DRF to get its act together. IMO...this recent takeover will affect the DRF employees a lot more than it will the customers.

I would just say the company now has financial resources and a very motivated growth oriented ownership and previously it was forced to meet short term financial metrics.

[proximity]

Originally Posted by thaskalos

There was a time when the DRF was considered to be the "bible of the industry"...and with good reason. But now...it has been relegated to the "minor player" position...IMO. At the "live outlets" that I frequent...the simulcast programs outsell the DRF by a ratio of at least 20-1. And online, where the past performances are free for the bettors...I would hazard to guess that the ratio is even larger than that.

this.

at the tracks I go to almost everyone buys daily racing program.

[Afleet]

Originally Posted by dilanesp

+1

Anyone who attends the races live will see tons of horseplayers using the printed product. If you get to the track 30 minutes before the first race you will see horseplayers purchasing the product. And if you leave after the race you will see horseplayers purchasing tomorrow's product.

The print edition of the Racing Form has plenty of life left in it.

Unfortunately, most of those people you described are in their 60's and 70's

[Afleet]

Horseman's Park in Omaha has a kiosk that prints the DRF, I guess you pay by track (I haven't used it). They used to sell the AM and PM hard copies, but no more.