Railbird 2004–2019

International Archive

A Blasphemous Scheme?

Aiming to increase tourism in Israel, the Israeli government announced on July 26 plans to build two racecourses in the north and south of the country. But Yael Zisling Adar, writing in Israel Insider, wonders, “Is horseracing the new Zionist dream?”

Posted in International on August 10, 2004

Jockey Investigated for Non-Triers

British jockey Gary Carter faces allegations that he rode “eight non-triers” last year (Racing Post).

Posted in International, Jockeys on July 15, 2004

Savill’s Legacy

Fearing increased corruption in racing brought on by online gaming sites, the recently retired British Horseracing Board chairman Peter Savill proposed a “banding system” over the weekend, which “would create different divisions of horse racing — with prize money depreciating significantly in the lower divisions.” Said Savill, “The issue is largely about the betting exchanges. I’m fundamentally opposed to the concept of betting exchanges because I think sport is about winning. To have people cheering on a racecourse because a horse is getting beaten is anathema to the whole concept of what sport is about” (Online Casino News). It’s Savill’s attitude to the betting exchanges that will determine his legacy, writes J.A. McGrath in London’s The Telegraph: “In the short term, Peter Savill will be remembered as the chairman who took racing to a level of prosperity it deserved, and he should be thanked for that. But it will be how betting exchanges develop from this point — and how that development affects racing — that will determine whether Savill was truly a man with vision.”

Posted in International on July 12, 2004

Needed: Young Bettors

Saying the “current customer pool had just about reached its betting limit,” New Zealand racing board chairman Warren Larsen told delegates to the New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing annual meeting that racing needs young fans and it needs them now. No surprise — young people surveyed by the board expressed distaste for the seedy atmosphere of betting outlets, an irritation at the lack of information on betting, and wanted to see better food service and improved facilities (Otago Daily Times).

Comment: It’s not just the youth of New Zealand who feel this way. I think of the amenities at Suffolk, and other tracks I’ve visited recently, such as Belmont and Bay Meadows, and what comes to mind is the cavernous concrete architecture and the sad little concession stands dominated by hot dogs and cheap beer of each. Ok, the hot dogs aren’t bad … but it would be wonderful to see improvements in the form of better food and more choices and a nicer environment in which to eat and drink, and why not get a franchise or two to set up shop in the grandstand? There have been so many afternoons where I’ve longed to sip a Frappuccino while perusing that day’s Form.

Posted in International, The Sport on July 12, 2004

A Yankee at Ascot

“Monsieur Bond catches my eye, not enough to guarantee a bet, but enough to look closely at a stray note in the form guide — ‘Has enough class, but a little rain might help.’ Apparently, his père was a mudder, and his mère was a mudder. As if on cue, dark clouds roll in, and it starts to drizzle. Ah, a sign from M (or perhaps Q)! A tenner to win on Le 007 and spread bets on the other two” (Slate).

Posted in International on July 5, 2004