Betfair’s Grand National Ad ‘Cruel’

Posted on Wednesday, April 11th, 2007

Pressure group Fight Against Animal Cruelty in Europe (FAACE) has condemned Betfair’s latest Grand National horse racing ad as ‘relishing the prospect of horses dying’ in the name of entertainment and gambling. FAACE chairman Tony Moore went on to call the ad ??? which depicts a jockey falling from his horse alongside the slogan ‘Long shots are only long shots until the favourites fall’ ??? “absolutely sickening”.

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Queen Elizabeth II Appearance Possible at 2007 Kentucky Derby

Posted on Monday, February 19th, 2007

Queen Elizabeth II might attend the 2007 Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs. The U.S. Secret Service is preparing for a “probable” visit from the queen around the first weekend in May. The Derby is Saturday, May 5.

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Kieran Fallon suspended in France

Posted on Sunday, December 17th, 2006

British jockey Kieren Fallon has been suspended by France Galop, the French racing authority, for testing positive for a prohibited substance.

Doctors found the substance metabolite in Fallon’s system in November, and although the quantity was described as “exceedingly low,” it was still enough to classify it as a strict liability offense.

Fallon’s attorney, Christopher Stewart-Moore, noted that over the course of his career Fallon’s tests have always been negative.

Nonetheless, Fallon’s six-month ban began Dec. 7. He is also banned in Britain and has been charged with conspiracy to defraud Betfair customers.

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UK Jockeys Suspended For Race-Fixing

Posted on Wednesday, December 13th, 2006

LONDON (AP) — Two jockeys were suspended for 18 months and a former owner and bookmaker was banned for eight years Monday in a British horse racing fixing scandal. Jockeys Brian Reilly and Dean Williams were suspended for informing bookmaker Owen Churchill that their horses were unlikely to win or of ensuring they would not win. Churchill was banned for causing jockeys to break rules.

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Horse racing to attract ??300 million investment by 2012

Posted on Wednesday, November 1st, 2006

A report commissioned by the Racecourse Holdings Trust has found that British horse racing will attract ??300 million in investment by 2012.

Deloitte & Touche found that increased investment in racetracks and the extended racing calendar will cause a rise in attendance and turnover, making the sport the country’s second most popular sports investment sector after football.

Horseracing to attract ??300 million investment by 2012
Related: HorseWagering.com domain name for sale

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Dylan Thomas Makes American Debut at Jokcey Gold Cup

Posted on Tuesday, September 26th, 2006

Irish Derby and Irish Champion Stakes winner, Dylan Thomas, will make his North American debut in the $750,00 Jockey Club Gold Cup on Oct. 7, at Belmont Park. Trainer Aidan O’Brien also confirmed that John Velazquez will ride Dylan Thomas in that race, which is expected to include Bernardini and Invasor. A Gold Cup win will boost Dylan Thomas’ odds in the $5 million Breeders’ Cup Classic.

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Kieren Fallon, Owen Churchill - UK Horse Racing Fixing Charges

Posted on Sunday, July 16th, 2006

Kieren Fallon, 27 Others Face Race Fixing Charges

A City of London Police investigation into horse race fixing was back in the spotlight last week after 11 individuals, including champion jockey Kieren Fallon, were charged with offenses related to race fixing. The investigation, which focused on over 80 races that took place between December 2002 and September 2004, was first brought to the public’s attention in September 2004 when Fallon and 15 other individuals were arrested on racing corruption allegations. Betting exchange Betfair, through a memorandum of understanding with the Horseracing Regulatory Authority (previously known as the Jockey Club), was instrumental in providing evidence for the investigation.

Twenty-eight people appeared in a London court on July 3, 2006 on charges related to race fixing, but 17 were released and only 11 were charged. Among those charged were Fallon and two lesser-known jockeys, Fergal Lynch and Darren Williams. All three face the charge of "conspiracy to defraud Betfair customers."

Fallon has since appealed his suspension from racing in Britain, but was denied by the Horseracing Regulatory Authority, which decided to uphold the suspension through the duration of the trial, which is not expected to commence before spring 2007. Fallon said he will go to the High Court and beyond if necessary to regain his status.

Churchill under Investigation as Well

Owen Churchill, owner of U.K. bookmaker Churchill’s Bookmakers, has been charged by the Horseracing Regulatory Authority for breaching the rules in 10 races between December 2004 and February 2005. Churchill and jockeys Brian Reilly, 25, and Dean Williams, 24, are accused of providing information for reward, aiding and abetting a breach of the rules and endeavoring to mislead an investigating officer looking into the running and riding of the horses. The trio will appear before the HRA disciplinary panel during the week of Sept. 11.

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