Saudi and their Sporting empire

[Guybrush]

With Saudi investment in Sport (and well everything) is it surprising to anyone they haven?t invested in the Falcons and even the racecourse.

In all honesty, I don?t know if they have / have not

But with the Rugby club now Team Red Bull and the Saudi penchant for the horses are they missing an opportunity to have themselves a little sporting empire in the North East?

They have obviously already sat around a table with the Reuben?s

I suspect Pat could have an answer, but with the right investment from them, would a horse racing festival the likes of Cheltenham, Ascot etc be possibility?

They have shown what they are capable of with Golf and Boxing

[ex_pat_magpie]

With Saudi investment in Sport (and well everything) is it surprising to anyone they haven?t invested in the Falcons and even the racecourse.

In all honesty, I don?t know if they have / have not

But with the Rugby club now Team Red Bull and the Saudi penchant for the horses are they missing an opportunity to have themselves a little sporting empire in the North East?

They have obviously already sat around a table with the Reuben?s

I suspect Pat could have an answer, but with the right investment from them, would a horse racing festival the likes of Cheltenham, Ascot etc be possibility?

They have shown what they are capable of with Golf and Boxing

Gosforth Park is already owned by Arena Racing, probably the biggest racing group in the country, and it is one of their most profitable venues, having all year round racing and first class facilities.

I'm sure the Saudis would like to get their hands on such a "gem" but at the same time I couldn't see Arena parting with it unless a huge over the top offer was made.

[Guybrush]

And that?s why I brought you in to it

I don?t follow racing, but I never hear of anything about a big racing festival or the likes held there - my knowledge is talk sport based 😆

[ex_pat_magpie]

And that?s why I brought you in to it

I don?t follow racing, but I never hear of anything about a big racing festival or the likes held there - my knowledge is talk sport based ��

Spot on there Guy. I can't understand why Arena only support the one big racing event of the year at Gosforth Park, i.e. Race Week with the Northumberland Plate on the last full week of June.

Surely the whole area would benefit from some huge event akin to the Edinburgh Festival held at Gosforth Park along with a sporting festival at St James' Park run at the same time in tandem.

It would benefit the whole area and like the Edinburgh Festival would attract, not just from the two counties, but the entire country and indeed abroad.

[Guybrush]

I was thinking the Saudis have the clout.

Any new stadium I?m sure should be a perfect venue for boxing, American football etc

A proper sports haven in the north east, attracting worldwide attention - it?s the only way we can compete with the London clubs for ?attractiveness? - to be a part of something bigger then the football club itself.

Get some golf in there and a bit of camel racing along Whitby Bay 😆

[Cannylad]

This would be nice, Darren Eales' ex home.

https://discoveratlanta.com/stories/things-to-do/everything-you-need-to-know-about-the-mercedes-benz-stadium/

[Guybrush]

Be happy to call that home 😳

[Jammy89]

bit of camel racing along Whitby Bay ��

I'd come to see that

Great thread idea.

I was wondering how much they've invested into the area generally, compared to the same way City's owners have.