I am amazed there is anyone out there who seriously believes the racing industry ever was, is or ever will be anything other than shonky.

Agree.  I babysat for a jockey a long time ago, he could see that I was poor (see poor thread 😞 ), I used to take my children with me to babysitting jobs.  He asked me one night did I want to know what horse I wanted to bet on tomorrow.  I said no, probably because I had no money and because I didn't quite believe what he was saying.