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19 Aug 14
15:33
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27 Apr 04
ugh.
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disappointing not a mystic meg reference or hanagan the managain all afternoon,he must be coming down with something
The twots name is THOMPSON aka 'The bucket carrier'
I think that bleeding Balding is turning into the female equivalent of Thompson.
Did you see her hand gestures and over-emphasis about everything in her introduction just then?
Tommo to a tee.
Did you see her hand gestures and over-emphasis about everything in her introduction just then?
Tommo to a tee.
She's worse. She wouldn't be seen dead at Lingfield Park. Apparently the Midday bar isn't good enough for her. Thommo is a man of the people.
data:image/jpeg;base64,/9j/4AAQSkZJRgABAQAAAQABAAD/2wCEAAkGBxQTEhQUEhQWFBQXG...
The only people Thompson is man of is the narcissistic race..
Thommo is a gentleman. Been in his company on many an occasion same as McCririck who is a ****.
No. I used to have to pick them up at the airport and take them to various company outlets on promotional work.
Some of the places were a couple of hours drive apart and Thommo would always chat away whilst McCririck would go in the back seat and just ignore me (he was the same with others so not me
)
All the staff that came into contact with them would say the same as me.
Some of the places were a couple of hours drive apart and Thommo would always chat away whilst McCririck would go in the back seat and just ignore me (he was the same with others so not me
)All the staff that came into contact with them would say the same as me.
akabula 20 Aug 14 16:58
Thommo is a gentleman
Agree, I have met him a few times around the courses and a few years ago a friend took a box at Uttoxeter for his sons 21st Birthday .
I bumped into Thommo who was doing his presentation stuff and asked if he had time could he 'pop in' .
He did and spent time talking to the party, which for many was their first racecourse visit . This was unscheduled, unpaid, during what was a busy afternoon for him .
Without exception everyone was taken by Thommo and i don't mean taken in . His enthusiasm was partly the reason that since then many have become regular racecourse visitors .
Thommo is a gentleman
Agree, I have met him a few times around the courses and a few years ago a friend took a box at Uttoxeter for his sons 21st Birthday .
I bumped into Thommo who was doing his presentation stuff and asked if he had time could he 'pop in' .
He did and spent time talking to the party, which for many was their first racecourse visit . This was unscheduled, unpaid, during what was a busy afternoon for him .
Without exception everyone was taken by Thommo and i don't mean taken in . His enthusiasm was partly the reason that since then many have become regular racecourse visitors .
My old man, an octogenarian, asked the great Tommo for his autograph at Ayr one day, hours before racing started, and the great Tommo totally blanked him. I`ll not repeat what my old man called him. 
About half an hour later he asked John McCririck for his autograph, not only was he pleased to sign it but he also posed for a photo with him and took him to the bar and bought him a pint.
I suppose people judge people from there own experiences but Tommo seems a fake to me.
About half an hour later he asked John McCririck for his autograph, not only was he pleased to sign it but he also posed for a photo with him and took him to the bar and bought him a pint.
I suppose people judge people from there own experiences but Tommo seems a fake to me.
I asked him once 'What happened to Red Rums' familiar groom (long haired character appeared in most historic videos?) - reply was 'I think he was a bit of a crook!'.
A rather cold day at Haydock the heating in the room Thommo was using had failed . At short notice an engineer was called in and beavering away managed to get it working .
Thommo thanked him and tipped him a runner for later in the day, it was odds on fav and lost .
Thommo thanked him and tipped him a runner for later in the day, it was odds on fav and lost .
Surely some ex- jockey/stable lad on here can remember who.
Lee Mack, the English comedian, was born in Southport and worked as a stable boy at Ginger McCain`s stable where he rode Red Rum in work. Not a lot of people know that 
Lee Mack, the English comedian, was born in Southport and worked as a stable boy at Ginger McCain`s stable where he rode Red Rum in work. Not a lot of people know that
I told you who it was dewey, Billy Ellison, the guy with the long hair you previously described 
themightymac - ah yes, of course...Billy Ellison (not Brian ....Fletcher - jockey)...thanks. So why was he faded into oblivion?
@Mac
McCririck is a total sleezeball in female company. Never misses an opportunity for a grope. Has been warned on numerous occasions.
BTW maybe Thommo didn't understand your Dads accent.
McCririck is a total sleezeball in female company. Never misses an opportunity for a grope. Has been warned on numerous occasions.
BTW maybe Thommo didn't understand your Dads accent.
Well worth a read, when Gerry Attric and I exposed Tommo.
A Gerry Attric Betfair Archive
December 7, 2007 /
Nudger Daz 07 Nov 17:01
Notice the tommo crusade is being taken up once more on the horse forum.Have you given up on the case?
Gerry Attric 07 Nov 22:34
Hi there Naz.
I remember you from the good old days! Howz you doin’ Boyo!
Yeaaahhhh! Them were great days them were Naz. Canny and me exposed the geezer for the trickster he truly is. Lost count of the times me threads got pulled. Got a final warning that I was on me last chance – or else. I’m currently hanging on by a thread Naz!! It got to a stage where I could not mention his name in a post. If I did me post got froze. And after all the exposure and proof that Canny and I managed to get onto the forum in thousands of posts, the good guys lost and the bad guy is still laughing all the way to the bank! At the expense of his innocent victims!
10 years ago he was running the same scam adverts (and it is a scam!) in the Sporting life. He pays nout for the adverts coz the sporting papers take a cut of the mug money. Its called an advertorial. They almost certainly still do! AND IT IS VERY LUCRATIVE! . The geezer tricks and misleads by manipulating and juggling bad results to make them look great. His adverts trick, deceive and manipulate the unwary into believing he is something which he is not. In other words his adverts trick and deceive people into believing he is a good tipster when in reality he is probably the worst tipster on the planet. It costs his victims plenty before they realise they have been ‘conned’ by ultra impressive but misleading adverts. AND THAT IS IMMORAL AND UNETHICAL. And the Racing Press know it, Channel 4 know it, Elite Racing know it, Talk Sport know it and The Fat Man knows it (the geezer that picks his nose and eats what he finds!) (as seen on TV!) AND ABOVE ALL, THE WHOLE RACING WORLD KNOW IT. AND THEY ALL SAY NOUT !! Instead of condemning they patronise. Such people know what I say is the absolute truth, but it is in their interests to say nothing! Now take a look at the real world i.e.Birkdales thread. That my friend is the real world! All them hundreds of geezers on there know it’s the truth but nobody listens to them do they? Can they all be wrong? It speaks, no not speaks, SHOUTS! for itself don’t it..
At the height of me campaign I approached Watchdog. Got no reply. I approached Advertising Standards and others. Not interested! What else can be done to stop the fraudulent, misleading, misrepresentative, deceiving, and immoral stinking advert that pollutes the racing Press day after day, year after year, decade after decade! The innocent racing punter is being ripped off rotten and nobody gives a damn! And the geezer continues to offload heavy ill-gotten dosh into the money houses!
He also contradicts himself .He advises “never backs odds on” Yet nearly every other selection is either odds on or close to it! .
One day when Canny and I were monitoring his selections he gave 7 tips.. 5 lost and 2 won. The two that won were odds on!! The next day he had the front to tell his victims “I hope you were on those two winners I gave you yesterday!” I would ask Channel 4 their views as to one of their own making such misleading comment! But they won’t!
And finally as to how good the geezer is at tipping over a three month period.
Canny offered to pay the premium rate bills and I agreed to do the mouthing off and make a daily list of results.(as many will remember!)
After the 3months was up his victims (and they are victims!) made a £6000 loss to a level £50 stake. AND THAT IS 100% THE TRUTH! It is also true that nearly every day during the loss of that £6000 the geezers adverts appeared glorifying his tipping line.
Think about it! His victims are £6000 out of pocket over three months!!! And every day when they see his advert in the Racing Press he is promoting his success! And that has been going on for over 10 years Now I ask the question ……..IS THAT ACCEPTABLE?
I aint got much fire left in me belly Naz to pursue the case like I did in the past, but Birkdales approach is professional and correct and extremely well presented. He needs all the support he can get and maybe have another crack at the advertising Standards on the grounds of misrepresentation. They may be more receptive than when I tried. He certainly has presented his case well and on the strength of his cracking post could be the man to lead the crusade to clean out the garbage adverts that polute the Racing Press and trick innocent people into wasting their hard earned!
That’s it my friend. Take care.
I’m gone
Gerry Attric 07 Nov 23:06
Apologies for gerrin’ yer ‘andle wrong Nudger. Must be gerrin’ old!
Catch you az and wen!
I’m gone!
know all 07 Nov 23:37
birkdale is gerry
cannyman 07 Nov 23:39
Hello Gerry, good to see you again.
cannyman 07 Nov 23:41
Great opening post by Birkdale on horse racing.
birkdale 03 Nov 14:03
I have just returned from a 1 month Betfair ban.
My crime was to post Tommo’s daily tips on here for all to see with a recommendation to lay them all. Betfair didn’t like this and wrote to me saying that “the posting of copyright information such as those from commercial tipping services is not acceptable”. They went on to tell me that the purpose of the forum was to “communicate with each other, exchange ideas and to discuss topical issues”. Fair enough then, I had breached the rules and got the red card for a month. This was unfortunate because I had only recently discovered Tommo’s Tips and quickly appreciated the poor quality of them. They were ideal laying material and had become a source of considerable profit to me over the short time I had been involved with them. All I had wanted to do was share my new found source of riches with others on here.
During my month away I decided to look at Tommo’s service in more detail. Not only did he have 2 premium rate numbers to call, I discovered that he also had a text service as well. He even turned up on Talksport every day. He may even have more outlets that I’m not aware of. I don’t know whether any of the “tips” he was charging for were ever given out for free on Talksport as I don’t listen to that station.
I focused my attention on his 2 premium rate lines. One of the lines charges callers £1 per minute whilst the other one promises that the call would be brief but nevertheless charges £1.50 per minute and is known as a “buzz” line. Perhaps Tommo believes that the quality of the “tips” on the “buzz” line are better and that he deserves more for providing them.
I called both of these numbers every day during October. I carefully wrote down his “tips” and monitored the results which I can now share with you.
True to his word, a call to the “buzz” line lasts about 20 seconds. Sometimes he tells the lucky callers that they can have “2 for the price of 1 today”. He always finishes the message by encouraging callers “to have a good day”. Perhaps he feels sorry for them as the results from the “buzz” line are appalling.
Calls to the other premium rate line go on for a good deal longer. One morning he kept me for nearly 8 minutes but occasionally he wraps it up in under 4. The average length of call would be just over 5 minutes. He tells his loyal callers that he has been on the gallops, at the sales etc… He is on first name terms with jockeys and trainers and they all call him Tommo. There are plenty of mentions for “Johnny G”, and I discovered that Ted Durcan picks him up from the airport and drives him home. Richard Hills is known as “Rich” and even Frankie has been known to phone him on the way to the races. It seems that racing folk are falling over themselves to give the big fella all the information he needs to make you wealthy. There was even a tale about a well known trainer passing on a good word about one of his horses in the gents toilet at Newmarket. After all this waffle he will give you at least 6 “tips” for the day and sometimes more. One day he gave out 10.
The month of October began well for our hero. On day 1 he gave out 7 “tips” which all started favourite and 5 of them won (2 at odds on). It was downhill after that with 20 out of the next 26 being beaten, but then he reached one of the high spots of the month by steering punters in the direction of a 16/1 winner at Longchamp. Whether the average caller is usually drawn to industry prices on French racing is debateable. More mediocrity followed with little to ho ho ho about until he advised an each way bet which scraped a place at 33/1 to ensure a profit even though 5 of his other selections that day were soundly beaten. When I called the next day you could feel the excitement in his voice. Not only did he have a 33/1 placed horse to gloat about but he also had news of a “special maximum bet” to pass on to callers. It turned out to be a non-runner. On October 11th the big fella had his greatest triumph. He put up Hamish McGonagall at the rewarding odds of 11/1 at Musselburgh. In fairness it was a brave selection in a tricky race and the 5 losers he gave out that same day were conveniently forgotten. Hamish McGonagall was plastered all over his adverts for the remainder of the month.
The following week brought 2 more “special maximum bets” although he didn’t tell callers what “special” meant or what a “maximum” should be (perhaps he was thinking along the lines of borrowing the kids savings and remortaging your house). The first of these bets won at 8/11 whilst the other one was stuffed at 7/4. Callers who took the advice and plunged in with their maximums suffered a loss (and may well be homeless by now).
There followed a 10/1 Cheltenham winner with Dee Ee Williams on the day he gave out 10 “tips” in an 8 minute message. Whether anybody had any cash left to back it following the defeat of the first 9 selections that day is another matter.
When I phoned on the 20th, Tommo announced that it would be his last message for 2 weeks as he was off to the Breeders Cup. However, he did encourage his followers to keep calling during his absence as “tips” would continue to be provided by his friend Stuart. I called the next day and sure enough Stuart was there. He gave out 3 “tips”, all of which lost. Thankfully, the call lasted for less than 3 minutes. Clearly Stuart hadn’t been told to update the “buzz” line because Tommo’s losing “tip” from the previous day was still available to back. Stuart only lasted for 3 days but ended up with 5 winners from 10 selections to show a profit. For the last 2 days he even created his own “buzz” line on a completely different premium rate number. Worryingly, Tommo still ran the adverts for his own “buzz” line which were not being updated but presumably still charging callers £1.50. The adverts gave no indication that Tommo was away and that callers would be dealing with a replacement from the subs bench.
For the next 3 days neither phone line was updated and I wondered whether callers were still being charged. I began to worry about Stuart and what had happened to him. Perhaps he was removed for raising the credibility of the service by cutting out the waffle and showing a profit.
When I phoned on the 27th, I was greeted by the tones of Simon Mapletoft. How he got involved with Tommo is a mystery to me. Simon made it clear that he was standing in for the great man and proceeded to give out 4 tips over the following 3 minutes with very little in the way of waffle. He naturally had a “buzz” line as well which provided a further “tip”. 3 of his 5 selections lost but the “buzz” horse actually won (he obviously hadn’t read the script). Over the course of the final week Mapletoft limited himself to 5 selections a day with a high proportion of favourites. Those unlucky enough to call on the 30th were given 5 straight losers. He rounded off his stint on the tipping lines by showing a decent loss.
I have charted all of the “tips” during October showing winners, losers, starting price, favourites, “buzz” horses (B) and the profit and loss position. I have calculated bets to a £5 stake which was Tommo’s suggested outlay when he was pressed on this matter some time ago. Occasionally an each way bet was given. What I have not done is to factor in the cost of the phone calls. A call to his “buzz” line will set you back £1.75 daily and the other line on average will relieve you of a further £5.90. That is a daily outlay of £7.65 if phoning form a normal landline.
Tommo was on line himself from the 1st October to the 20th October.
During that time, he provided :
147 “tips”
5 non-runners
39 winners
103 losers
67 of the 142 runners were favourites of which 18 were odds on
26 of the 39 winners were favourites of which 13 were odds on.
25 “buzz” horse “tips” which produced 1 winner and 24 losers
His advert today tells readers that Tommo had an “immense” October with “massive” profits achieved. Naturally Hamish McGonagall gets another mention. The advert goes on to say that “you cannot afford to miss out on Tommo’s info”. I disagree. If you are serious about trying to make money by backing horses, this is definitely something that you can afford to miss. However if you are interested in finding something to lay, then that is another matter.
I wondered how Tommo found the time to come up with these “tips” given all the other things he gets up to. Perhaps he can survive with no sleep. Does he spend hours with the form books carefully researching his selections ? Does he raelly have good connections in the game ? Does he use his own ratings ? Only the big fella knows.
Personally I would like to see some form of regulations brought in. I don’t mind tipsters publishing previous winners at fancy prices, but perhaps they should also be obliged to account for the losers as well. I can see how an unsuspecting punter would respond to an advert and phone a line that has given winners at 11/1 and 16/1, but would the same punter make the same call knowing that 72% of all selections were losers (Tommo’s stats)
I would also like to see more emphasis on what the phone calls actually cost. A £10 profit from betting is quickly diluted by a £7 phone bill. Should tipsters only be entitled to receive income from the telephone charges if they actually make a profit ? Should the revenue from these phone calls be distributed amongst racing charities on losing days ?
When Betfair banned me, they reminded me that the purpose of the forum was to communicate with each other and discuss topical issues. I therefore hope they allow this thread to stand.
Results
Tommo
1st. Oct. W 11/10 f, W 2/5 f, W 11/4 f, W 15/8 f, W 4/7 f, L 1/1 f, L 9/4 f (B) = + £20.63
2nd. Oct. L 11/8 f, L 33/1 (ew), L 11/1 (B), W 10/11 f, L 8/11 f, L 7/2 f (B), L 5/2 f, L 4/1, L 15/8 f = – £35.44
3rd. Oct. W 8/11 f, L 11/2 (B), L 8/1, W 4/1 f, L 9/2, L 9/4, L 12/1 (B), L 7/4 f, W 7/4 f = + £2.38
4th. Oct. W 8/11 f, L 6/1 f, L 9/1 (ew), W 11/4 f, L 14/1 (B), L 20/1 (ew) L 8/1 (ew) L 1/1 f, W 16/1 (ew) = + £68.385th. Oct. L 11/2, L 6/1 (B), L 28/1 (ew), L 33/1 (ew), L 25/1 (ew) L 9/4 f, W 6/4 f = – £37.50
6th. Oct. L 4/1, L 7/1, W 7/4 f (B), L 5/1 (B), L 6/4 f, L 1/1 f, L 13/8 f, L 13/2 = – £26.25
7th.Oct. L 10/3, L 15/2, 3rd 33/1 (ew), W 3/1, L 3/1, L 15/2 (B), L 9/2 = + £48.00
8th.Oct. L 5/2, n/r, L 12/1, n/r (B), W 8/13 f, n/r = – £6.93
9th.Oct. L 25/1 (ew), W 11/4, W 5/6 f, n/r, L 13/8 f, L 6/1(B) = – £2.09
10th. Oct. L 5/1, L 9/2, L 6/4 f, L 2/1 f, L 4/1 (B), W 2/5 f, W 5/1 = + £2.00
11th. Oct. L 8/1 (ew), L 9/2 f, L 4/1, L 7/2 f (B), W 15/2, W 11/1(ew), L 11/1 = + £76.25
12th. Oct. L 9/1 (ew), L 5/1 (B), L 8/1, W 11/8 f, 3rd 7/1 (ew), W 13/2, W 9/4 = + £32.62
13th. Oct. L 7/2 f, W 10/11 f, L 11/8 f, L 7/2 f, W 8/11 f, L 9/2 (B) = – £11.83
14th. Oct. L 8/1 (ew), L 7/4 f, L 4/9 f, L 7/4, L 10/3 f (B), 3rd. 7/1 f (ew) = – £26.25
15th. Oct. 2nd 14/1 (ew), W 4/1, L 15/8 f (B) W 13/8 f, L 6/5 f, L 4/1 = + £22.12
16th. Oct. L 8/11 f, L 3/1 f (B), L 4/5 f, L 7/4 f, W 4/9 f, L 15/8 f, L 9/2 = – £27.78
17th. Oct. L 9/2, L 15/8 f (B), L 4/1, L 11/8 f, L 6/1 (B), L 8/13 f, L 9/1, L 14/1, L 22/1, W 10/1 = + £5.00
18th. Oct. L 9/2, L 16/1 (ew), L 7/2 f, L 10/1 (ew), L 4/1 f, L 11/8 f, L 9/2, L 3/1 f (B), W 9/2 = – £27.50
19th. Oct. W 8/15 f, L 8/1, L 10/3, L 11/4, L 8/1 (ew) L 1/1 f (B), L 12/1, n/r (B) = – £32.34
20th. Oct. W 9/2 f, W 4/9 f, L 4/1 f, L 13/2, L 7/2 f (B) L 8/1 = + £4.72
Profit from betting to £5 stake = + £48.19, less cost of calls – £153, = loss of – £104.81.
Stuart
21st. Oct. L 2/1, L 8/1 (ew), L 8/1 = – £20.00
22nd. Oct. L 10/11 f (B), W 8/11 f, W 11/4 f, W 5/4 f = + £18.63
23rd. Oct. W 5/2 f, W 7/4 f (B), L 7/4 f = + £16.25
24th. Oct. no tips
25th. Oct. no tips
26th. Oct. no tips
Profit from betting to £5 stake = + £14.88, less cost of calls – £14.00, = profit of £0.88
Mapletoft
27th. Oct. W 11/4 f, L 15/8 f, W 11/8 f (B), L 4/1, L 10/3 f = + £7.50
28th. Oct. L 11/4 f (B), W 3/1, L 4/1, W 6/4 f, L 11/4 = + £7.50
29th. Oct. L 5/4 f, W 5/2, L 13/8 f, L 7/4 f, L 5/6 f (B) = – £7.50
30th. Oct. L 5/4 f, L 10/3 (B), L 7/2 f, L 14/1, L 2/1 f = -£25.00
31st. Oct. L 10/1, W 6/4 f, L 4/1 f, W 11/8 f, L 6/4 f (B) = – £1.25
Loss from betting to £5 stake = -£18.75, less cost of calls – £26.25
= loss of £45.00
tobermory 07 Nov 23:47
All these Tipping Lines should be required to have a message reading out the p+l for the previous
week/month/3 months which the caller hears before he starts getting charged.
Gerry Attric 08 Nov 00:36
Hiya Canny me old matey! Howz you doin’ pal?
Been out of touch for a while. As I said to Nadger, the fire within is now but an ember.
Occasionally I read things that I cannot resist and have to blow me bugle like wot I just done on here re Birkdale.
The trouble is Canny that I start off by only wanting to write a couple of lines or so but when I start I cant stop.
The Birkdale post Canny is a blinder. Sez all that we said in the past don’t it? But high quality script from a very educated man. Most impressive!
Oy Canny! See what that twerp Know All sez? He thinks I’m Birkdale!!! Now that sure is one big compliment!!!
Heres a line from the past Canny that Im sure youi will remember that is my reply to the stupid boy! You will recall that it was used extensively re a certain geezers cr@ p tipping performance
My reply to you Know All is you know nout!!!
Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaagh Ha ha Haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!
I’m gone!
Richard LL 08 Nov 01:05
superb stuff from Birkdale :^0
birkdale 08 Nov 08:31
Can assure you that I’m not Gerry as somebody suggested, but thanks for your interest !
I just want to see an end to these completely misleading adverts and false claims. Punters should also know how much a phone call is going to cost before they ring. If we have to tolerate tipsters then I want to see their P & L and their winners to tips ratio.
How can a man claim to have had an “immense” October with “massive” profits when he gave out 103 losing tips in 3 weeks !!
I’ll bash on with this on the racing forum. Feel free to have your say.
Nudger Daz 11 Nov 09:47
Don’t worry about getting me name wrong ,that’s dementia setting in Gerry :) i for one am glad it’s given you one final push to do some good……………Good Luck.Naz,Baz,Raz,Nuz, toooo many too list ;)
Norfolk ‘n’ Good 13 Nov 16:10
Sharkeeeeeeeeee!!
Hiya pal, long time no see – thought you’d gone back to your cardboard box, under those bridges, near the river!
Where’s the “You know who” thread gone?
A Gerry Attric Betfair Archive
December 7, 2007 /
Nudger Daz 07 Nov 17:01
Notice the tommo crusade is being taken up once more on the horse forum.Have you given up on the case?
Gerry Attric 07 Nov 22:34
Hi there Naz.
I remember you from the good old days! Howz you doin’ Boyo!
Yeaaahhhh! Them were great days them were Naz. Canny and me exposed the geezer for the trickster he truly is. Lost count of the times me threads got pulled. Got a final warning that I was on me last chance – or else. I’m currently hanging on by a thread Naz!! It got to a stage where I could not mention his name in a post. If I did me post got froze. And after all the exposure and proof that Canny and I managed to get onto the forum in thousands of posts, the good guys lost and the bad guy is still laughing all the way to the bank! At the expense of his innocent victims!
10 years ago he was running the same scam adverts (and it is a scam!) in the Sporting life. He pays nout for the adverts coz the sporting papers take a cut of the mug money. Its called an advertorial. They almost certainly still do! AND IT IS VERY LUCRATIVE! . The geezer tricks and misleads by manipulating and juggling bad results to make them look great. His adverts trick, deceive and manipulate the unwary into believing he is something which he is not. In other words his adverts trick and deceive people into believing he is a good tipster when in reality he is probably the worst tipster on the planet. It costs his victims plenty before they realise they have been ‘conned’ by ultra impressive but misleading adverts. AND THAT IS IMMORAL AND UNETHICAL. And the Racing Press know it, Channel 4 know it, Elite Racing know it, Talk Sport know it and The Fat Man knows it (the geezer that picks his nose and eats what he finds!) (as seen on TV!) AND ABOVE ALL, THE WHOLE RACING WORLD KNOW IT. AND THEY ALL SAY NOUT !! Instead of condemning they patronise. Such people know what I say is the absolute truth, but it is in their interests to say nothing! Now take a look at the real world i.e.Birkdales thread. That my friend is the real world! All them hundreds of geezers on there know it’s the truth but nobody listens to them do they? Can they all be wrong? It speaks, no not speaks, SHOUTS! for itself don’t it..
At the height of me campaign I approached Watchdog. Got no reply. I approached Advertising Standards and others. Not interested! What else can be done to stop the fraudulent, misleading, misrepresentative, deceiving, and immoral stinking advert that pollutes the racing Press day after day, year after year, decade after decade! The innocent racing punter is being ripped off rotten and nobody gives a damn! And the geezer continues to offload heavy ill-gotten dosh into the money houses!
He also contradicts himself .He advises “never backs odds on” Yet nearly every other selection is either odds on or close to it! .
One day when Canny and I were monitoring his selections he gave 7 tips.. 5 lost and 2 won. The two that won were odds on!! The next day he had the front to tell his victims “I hope you were on those two winners I gave you yesterday!” I would ask Channel 4 their views as to one of their own making such misleading comment! But they won’t!
And finally as to how good the geezer is at tipping over a three month period.
Canny offered to pay the premium rate bills and I agreed to do the mouthing off and make a daily list of results.(as many will remember!)
After the 3months was up his victims (and they are victims!) made a £6000 loss to a level £50 stake. AND THAT IS 100% THE TRUTH! It is also true that nearly every day during the loss of that £6000 the geezers adverts appeared glorifying his tipping line.
Think about it! His victims are £6000 out of pocket over three months!!! And every day when they see his advert in the Racing Press he is promoting his success! And that has been going on for over 10 years Now I ask the question ……..IS THAT ACCEPTABLE?
I aint got much fire left in me belly Naz to pursue the case like I did in the past, but Birkdales approach is professional and correct and extremely well presented. He needs all the support he can get and maybe have another crack at the advertising Standards on the grounds of misrepresentation. They may be more receptive than when I tried. He certainly has presented his case well and on the strength of his cracking post could be the man to lead the crusade to clean out the garbage adverts that polute the Racing Press and trick innocent people into wasting their hard earned!
That’s it my friend. Take care.
I’m gone
Gerry Attric 07 Nov 23:06
Apologies for gerrin’ yer ‘andle wrong Nudger. Must be gerrin’ old!
Catch you az and wen!
I’m gone!
know all 07 Nov 23:37
birkdale is gerry
cannyman 07 Nov 23:39
Hello Gerry, good to see you again.
cannyman 07 Nov 23:41
Great opening post by Birkdale on horse racing.
birkdale 03 Nov 14:03
I have just returned from a 1 month Betfair ban.
My crime was to post Tommo’s daily tips on here for all to see with a recommendation to lay them all. Betfair didn’t like this and wrote to me saying that “the posting of copyright information such as those from commercial tipping services is not acceptable”. They went on to tell me that the purpose of the forum was to “communicate with each other, exchange ideas and to discuss topical issues”. Fair enough then, I had breached the rules and got the red card for a month. This was unfortunate because I had only recently discovered Tommo’s Tips and quickly appreciated the poor quality of them. They were ideal laying material and had become a source of considerable profit to me over the short time I had been involved with them. All I had wanted to do was share my new found source of riches with others on here.
During my month away I decided to look at Tommo’s service in more detail. Not only did he have 2 premium rate numbers to call, I discovered that he also had a text service as well. He even turned up on Talksport every day. He may even have more outlets that I’m not aware of. I don’t know whether any of the “tips” he was charging for were ever given out for free on Talksport as I don’t listen to that station.
I focused my attention on his 2 premium rate lines. One of the lines charges callers £1 per minute whilst the other one promises that the call would be brief but nevertheless charges £1.50 per minute and is known as a “buzz” line. Perhaps Tommo believes that the quality of the “tips” on the “buzz” line are better and that he deserves more for providing them.
I called both of these numbers every day during October. I carefully wrote down his “tips” and monitored the results which I can now share with you.
True to his word, a call to the “buzz” line lasts about 20 seconds. Sometimes he tells the lucky callers that they can have “2 for the price of 1 today”. He always finishes the message by encouraging callers “to have a good day”. Perhaps he feels sorry for them as the results from the “buzz” line are appalling.
Calls to the other premium rate line go on for a good deal longer. One morning he kept me for nearly 8 minutes but occasionally he wraps it up in under 4. The average length of call would be just over 5 minutes. He tells his loyal callers that he has been on the gallops, at the sales etc… He is on first name terms with jockeys and trainers and they all call him Tommo. There are plenty of mentions for “Johnny G”, and I discovered that Ted Durcan picks him up from the airport and drives him home. Richard Hills is known as “Rich” and even Frankie has been known to phone him on the way to the races. It seems that racing folk are falling over themselves to give the big fella all the information he needs to make you wealthy. There was even a tale about a well known trainer passing on a good word about one of his horses in the gents toilet at Newmarket. After all this waffle he will give you at least 6 “tips” for the day and sometimes more. One day he gave out 10.
The month of October began well for our hero. On day 1 he gave out 7 “tips” which all started favourite and 5 of them won (2 at odds on). It was downhill after that with 20 out of the next 26 being beaten, but then he reached one of the high spots of the month by steering punters in the direction of a 16/1 winner at Longchamp. Whether the average caller is usually drawn to industry prices on French racing is debateable. More mediocrity followed with little to ho ho ho about until he advised an each way bet which scraped a place at 33/1 to ensure a profit even though 5 of his other selections that day were soundly beaten. When I called the next day you could feel the excitement in his voice. Not only did he have a 33/1 placed horse to gloat about but he also had news of a “special maximum bet” to pass on to callers. It turned out to be a non-runner. On October 11th the big fella had his greatest triumph. He put up Hamish McGonagall at the rewarding odds of 11/1 at Musselburgh. In fairness it was a brave selection in a tricky race and the 5 losers he gave out that same day were conveniently forgotten. Hamish McGonagall was plastered all over his adverts for the remainder of the month.
The following week brought 2 more “special maximum bets” although he didn’t tell callers what “special” meant or what a “maximum” should be (perhaps he was thinking along the lines of borrowing the kids savings and remortaging your house). The first of these bets won at 8/11 whilst the other one was stuffed at 7/4. Callers who took the advice and plunged in with their maximums suffered a loss (and may well be homeless by now).
There followed a 10/1 Cheltenham winner with Dee Ee Williams on the day he gave out 10 “tips” in an 8 minute message. Whether anybody had any cash left to back it following the defeat of the first 9 selections that day is another matter.
When I phoned on the 20th, Tommo announced that it would be his last message for 2 weeks as he was off to the Breeders Cup. However, he did encourage his followers to keep calling during his absence as “tips” would continue to be provided by his friend Stuart. I called the next day and sure enough Stuart was there. He gave out 3 “tips”, all of which lost. Thankfully, the call lasted for less than 3 minutes. Clearly Stuart hadn’t been told to update the “buzz” line because Tommo’s losing “tip” from the previous day was still available to back. Stuart only lasted for 3 days but ended up with 5 winners from 10 selections to show a profit. For the last 2 days he even created his own “buzz” line on a completely different premium rate number. Worryingly, Tommo still ran the adverts for his own “buzz” line which were not being updated but presumably still charging callers £1.50. The adverts gave no indication that Tommo was away and that callers would be dealing with a replacement from the subs bench.
For the next 3 days neither phone line was updated and I wondered whether callers were still being charged. I began to worry about Stuart and what had happened to him. Perhaps he was removed for raising the credibility of the service by cutting out the waffle and showing a profit.
When I phoned on the 27th, I was greeted by the tones of Simon Mapletoft. How he got involved with Tommo is a mystery to me. Simon made it clear that he was standing in for the great man and proceeded to give out 4 tips over the following 3 minutes with very little in the way of waffle. He naturally had a “buzz” line as well which provided a further “tip”. 3 of his 5 selections lost but the “buzz” horse actually won (he obviously hadn’t read the script). Over the course of the final week Mapletoft limited himself to 5 selections a day with a high proportion of favourites. Those unlucky enough to call on the 30th were given 5 straight losers. He rounded off his stint on the tipping lines by showing a decent loss.
I have charted all of the “tips” during October showing winners, losers, starting price, favourites, “buzz” horses (B) and the profit and loss position. I have calculated bets to a £5 stake which was Tommo’s suggested outlay when he was pressed on this matter some time ago. Occasionally an each way bet was given. What I have not done is to factor in the cost of the phone calls. A call to his “buzz” line will set you back £1.75 daily and the other line on average will relieve you of a further £5.90. That is a daily outlay of £7.65 if phoning form a normal landline.
Tommo was on line himself from the 1st October to the 20th October.
During that time, he provided :
147 “tips”
5 non-runners
39 winners
103 losers
67 of the 142 runners were favourites of which 18 were odds on
26 of the 39 winners were favourites of which 13 were odds on.
25 “buzz” horse “tips” which produced 1 winner and 24 losers
His advert today tells readers that Tommo had an “immense” October with “massive” profits achieved. Naturally Hamish McGonagall gets another mention. The advert goes on to say that “you cannot afford to miss out on Tommo’s info”. I disagree. If you are serious about trying to make money by backing horses, this is definitely something that you can afford to miss. However if you are interested in finding something to lay, then that is another matter.
I wondered how Tommo found the time to come up with these “tips” given all the other things he gets up to. Perhaps he can survive with no sleep. Does he spend hours with the form books carefully researching his selections ? Does he raelly have good connections in the game ? Does he use his own ratings ? Only the big fella knows.
Personally I would like to see some form of regulations brought in. I don’t mind tipsters publishing previous winners at fancy prices, but perhaps they should also be obliged to account for the losers as well. I can see how an unsuspecting punter would respond to an advert and phone a line that has given winners at 11/1 and 16/1, but would the same punter make the same call knowing that 72% of all selections were losers (Tommo’s stats)
I would also like to see more emphasis on what the phone calls actually cost. A £10 profit from betting is quickly diluted by a £7 phone bill. Should tipsters only be entitled to receive income from the telephone charges if they actually make a profit ? Should the revenue from these phone calls be distributed amongst racing charities on losing days ?
When Betfair banned me, they reminded me that the purpose of the forum was to communicate with each other and discuss topical issues. I therefore hope they allow this thread to stand.
Results
Tommo
1st. Oct. W 11/10 f, W 2/5 f, W 11/4 f, W 15/8 f, W 4/7 f, L 1/1 f, L 9/4 f (B) = + £20.63
2nd. Oct. L 11/8 f, L 33/1 (ew), L 11/1 (B), W 10/11 f, L 8/11 f, L 7/2 f (B), L 5/2 f, L 4/1, L 15/8 f = – £35.44
3rd. Oct. W 8/11 f, L 11/2 (B), L 8/1, W 4/1 f, L 9/2, L 9/4, L 12/1 (B), L 7/4 f, W 7/4 f = + £2.38
4th. Oct. W 8/11 f, L 6/1 f, L 9/1 (ew), W 11/4 f, L 14/1 (B), L 20/1 (ew) L 8/1 (ew) L 1/1 f, W 16/1 (ew) = + £68.385th. Oct. L 11/2, L 6/1 (B), L 28/1 (ew), L 33/1 (ew), L 25/1 (ew) L 9/4 f, W 6/4 f = – £37.50
6th. Oct. L 4/1, L 7/1, W 7/4 f (B), L 5/1 (B), L 6/4 f, L 1/1 f, L 13/8 f, L 13/2 = – £26.25
7th.Oct. L 10/3, L 15/2, 3rd 33/1 (ew), W 3/1, L 3/1, L 15/2 (B), L 9/2 = + £48.00
8th.Oct. L 5/2, n/r, L 12/1, n/r (B), W 8/13 f, n/r = – £6.93
9th.Oct. L 25/1 (ew), W 11/4, W 5/6 f, n/r, L 13/8 f, L 6/1(B) = – £2.09
10th. Oct. L 5/1, L 9/2, L 6/4 f, L 2/1 f, L 4/1 (B), W 2/5 f, W 5/1 = + £2.00
11th. Oct. L 8/1 (ew), L 9/2 f, L 4/1, L 7/2 f (B), W 15/2, W 11/1(ew), L 11/1 = + £76.25
12th. Oct. L 9/1 (ew), L 5/1 (B), L 8/1, W 11/8 f, 3rd 7/1 (ew), W 13/2, W 9/4 = + £32.62
13th. Oct. L 7/2 f, W 10/11 f, L 11/8 f, L 7/2 f, W 8/11 f, L 9/2 (B) = – £11.83
14th. Oct. L 8/1 (ew), L 7/4 f, L 4/9 f, L 7/4, L 10/3 f (B), 3rd. 7/1 f (ew) = – £26.25
15th. Oct. 2nd 14/1 (ew), W 4/1, L 15/8 f (B) W 13/8 f, L 6/5 f, L 4/1 = + £22.12
16th. Oct. L 8/11 f, L 3/1 f (B), L 4/5 f, L 7/4 f, W 4/9 f, L 15/8 f, L 9/2 = – £27.78
17th. Oct. L 9/2, L 15/8 f (B), L 4/1, L 11/8 f, L 6/1 (B), L 8/13 f, L 9/1, L 14/1, L 22/1, W 10/1 = + £5.00
18th. Oct. L 9/2, L 16/1 (ew), L 7/2 f, L 10/1 (ew), L 4/1 f, L 11/8 f, L 9/2, L 3/1 f (B), W 9/2 = – £27.50
19th. Oct. W 8/15 f, L 8/1, L 10/3, L 11/4, L 8/1 (ew) L 1/1 f (B), L 12/1, n/r (B) = – £32.34
20th. Oct. W 9/2 f, W 4/9 f, L 4/1 f, L 13/2, L 7/2 f (B) L 8/1 = + £4.72
Profit from betting to £5 stake = + £48.19, less cost of calls – £153, = loss of – £104.81.
Stuart
21st. Oct. L 2/1, L 8/1 (ew), L 8/1 = – £20.00
22nd. Oct. L 10/11 f (B), W 8/11 f, W 11/4 f, W 5/4 f = + £18.63
23rd. Oct. W 5/2 f, W 7/4 f (B), L 7/4 f = + £16.25
24th. Oct. no tips
25th. Oct. no tips
26th. Oct. no tips
Profit from betting to £5 stake = + £14.88, less cost of calls – £14.00, = profit of £0.88
Mapletoft
27th. Oct. W 11/4 f, L 15/8 f, W 11/8 f (B), L 4/1, L 10/3 f = + £7.50
28th. Oct. L 11/4 f (B), W 3/1, L 4/1, W 6/4 f, L 11/4 = + £7.50
29th. Oct. L 5/4 f, W 5/2, L 13/8 f, L 7/4 f, L 5/6 f (B) = – £7.50
30th. Oct. L 5/4 f, L 10/3 (B), L 7/2 f, L 14/1, L 2/1 f = -£25.00
31st. Oct. L 10/1, W 6/4 f, L 4/1 f, W 11/8 f, L 6/4 f (B) = – £1.25
Loss from betting to £5 stake = -£18.75, less cost of calls – £26.25
= loss of £45.00
tobermory 07 Nov 23:47
All these Tipping Lines should be required to have a message reading out the p+l for the previous
week/month/3 months which the caller hears before he starts getting charged.
Gerry Attric 08 Nov 00:36
Hiya Canny me old matey! Howz you doin’ pal?
Been out of touch for a while. As I said to Nadger, the fire within is now but an ember.
Occasionally I read things that I cannot resist and have to blow me bugle like wot I just done on here re Birkdale.
The trouble is Canny that I start off by only wanting to write a couple of lines or so but when I start I cant stop.
The Birkdale post Canny is a blinder. Sez all that we said in the past don’t it? But high quality script from a very educated man. Most impressive!
Oy Canny! See what that twerp Know All sez? He thinks I’m Birkdale!!! Now that sure is one big compliment!!!
Heres a line from the past Canny that Im sure youi will remember that is my reply to the stupid boy! You will recall that it was used extensively re a certain geezers cr@ p tipping performance
My reply to you Know All is you know nout!!!
Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaagh Ha ha Haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!
I’m gone!
Richard LL 08 Nov 01:05
superb stuff from Birkdale :^0
birkdale 08 Nov 08:31
Can assure you that I’m not Gerry as somebody suggested, but thanks for your interest !
I just want to see an end to these completely misleading adverts and false claims. Punters should also know how much a phone call is going to cost before they ring. If we have to tolerate tipsters then I want to see their P & L and their winners to tips ratio.
How can a man claim to have had an “immense” October with “massive” profits when he gave out 103 losing tips in 3 weeks !!
I’ll bash on with this on the racing forum. Feel free to have your say.
Nudger Daz 11 Nov 09:47
Don’t worry about getting me name wrong ,that’s dementia setting in Gerry :) i for one am glad it’s given you one final push to do some good……………Good Luck.Naz,Baz,Raz,Nuz, toooo many too list ;)
Norfolk ‘n’ Good 13 Nov 16:10
Sharkeeeeeeeeee!!
Hiya pal, long time no see – thought you’d gone back to your cardboard box, under those bridges, near the river!
Where’s the “You know who” thread gone?
Still curious regarding 'what happened to Billy Ellison?' - that's my 'only' interest in this thread - was he a member of MI5 or something?
Is this what your after.....
JOJO MOYES Monday 30 September 1996
The racing village of Lambourn, in Berkshire, has become the unlikely setting for large-scale police raids, following indications that inner- city drugs dealers are targeting the racing community.
The series of raids, codenamed Operation Robin, are in response to a growing heroin problem which has led to a registered 51 addicts in the 4,000 strong village, as well as record levels of associated crime.
"We've had two large-scale raids involving over 40 police . . . We've put extra police patrols out at nights to combat the increase [in associated crime] and it has to some degree stemmed the flow. We will stamp it out," said a police spokesman.
Police will meet racing trainers and parish councillors early in October to discuss the problem, which was highlighted last Thursday when an apprentice jockey, Robert Wainwright, 23, was found guilty at Reading Crown Court of possessing heroin.
Further charges of supplying heroin, which he admitted, were adjourned until 25 October for pre-sentence reports to be prepared. Wainwright, a jockey with the Lambourn-based trainer Mick Channon, was found not guilty of a further charge of smoking the drug opium. According to police, the sudden upsurge in hard drug use in the sleepy Berkshire village has been caused by dealers moving in to target the large population of young people employed by the industry.
"We've noticed a number of people moved down from places like Liverpool and Manchester where the problem is apparent all the time. They've introduced the problem into our area," said a police spokesman.
He said that the nearby town of Hungerford was experiencing "nothing like the same problem", fuelling police concerns that dealers are attracted to the racing community because of the high proportion of young stable lads with a weekly wage to burn.
"I wouldn't connect it solely with racing but it's a young people's problem, and there are a lot of young people mixing in pubs in Lambourn. It's a very cosmopolitan population . . . you've got Irish lads, Scottish lads, Liverpudlian lads." He added that despite the success of recent raids, intelligence services had said there was still a problem in the village.
"We can base that on a previous operation regarding ecstasy, which was rife around 18 months ago. We had eight drugs raids in one go. We took out a main dealer of ecstasy and a couple of local dealers," he said. The problem then subsided, until police became aware that there was a "significant problem" with heroin use among the 17-25 age group.
He said the racing industry took the problem "very seriously" and that police had worked in conjunction with the Jockey Club to address it. Trainers and community leaders are privately said to be watching carefully for signs of drug abuse among stable lads, but are publicly keen to play down suggestions that there might be a problem. Peter Penfold, a Lambourn parish councillor, said that while there was a "core" of young people that used drugs in Lambourn, "we are advised by police that it is no more a problem than any other area".
But suggestions of drug use in racing are not new - and are not confined to horse-doping. A spokesman for Newmarket police said last week that there had "always been a bit of a problem" and said there was a "suggestion" that there was "a preponderance of drugs in the racing fraternity". One racing source said last week that there were "always stable lads who you knew you could get drugs off if you wanted to".
He said drug use among lads - traditionally amphetamine based - occurred mainly because of the long, hard hours involved. "It's pretty exhausting work. In some yards you start at 5am, work till midday, try and get some sleep until 4 then do evening stables.
"At the end of the week they've got cash and it's just a relief from what is a fairly miserable existence. [Lads] all blow their money on drink and drugs on Fridays and most of them are penniless by Monday," he said. "They're the perfect people to aim at."
He believed that the problem was largely confined to the lower echelons of racing as "very few of the jockeys do it since drug testing [was introduced]."
Random testing of jockeys began in 1994, after advice from police in the Newmarket and Lambourn areas suggested that there might be a drug problem. This followed the arrest in 1993 of the leading jockey Frankie Dettori, who was officially cautioned after being found in possession of a quantity of cocaine.
Shortly afterwards, Billy Ellison, the stable lad who looked after the Grand National winner Red Rum, claimed he ran a drugs ring at Newmarket, selling amphetamines to a string of well-known riders. According to Ellison, jockeys took the drug because it suppressed appetite, helping them to keep their weight down, while giving them excess energy.
Weight and stamina are the key issues in racing; a more recent survey of 500 jockeys showed that more than 70 per cent had attempted to lose more than 5 lb in 24 hours and that many resorted to drugs, diuretics and slimming pills.
Following the introduction of testing in Britain, two other apprentice jockeys, Darren Salter and Sean McCarthy, have been the subject of temporary bans following failed drugs tests and, according to the source, there have been "a lot of changed personalities in the weighing- room".
In February, still insisting that drugs were less of a problem in racing than in society at large, the Jockey Club launched a programme for jockeys on drug awareness and a booklet produced by the charity Lifeline was sent to all apprentice and conditional jockeys.
Police in Lambourn are confident that they are attacking the root of the latest problem. But according to the racing source, as long as weight and stamina are the key issues in racing then drug abuse will continue. He added: "It's always been there - if it's increasing it's just reflecting the rest of society really."
He lives in Blackpool btw, just in case you want some rock..
JOJO MOYES Monday 30 September 1996
The racing village of Lambourn, in Berkshire, has become the unlikely setting for large-scale police raids, following indications that inner- city drugs dealers are targeting the racing community.
The series of raids, codenamed Operation Robin, are in response to a growing heroin problem which has led to a registered 51 addicts in the 4,000 strong village, as well as record levels of associated crime.
"We've had two large-scale raids involving over 40 police . . . We've put extra police patrols out at nights to combat the increase [in associated crime] and it has to some degree stemmed the flow. We will stamp it out," said a police spokesman.
Police will meet racing trainers and parish councillors early in October to discuss the problem, which was highlighted last Thursday when an apprentice jockey, Robert Wainwright, 23, was found guilty at Reading Crown Court of possessing heroin.
Further charges of supplying heroin, which he admitted, were adjourned until 25 October for pre-sentence reports to be prepared. Wainwright, a jockey with the Lambourn-based trainer Mick Channon, was found not guilty of a further charge of smoking the drug opium. According to police, the sudden upsurge in hard drug use in the sleepy Berkshire village has been caused by dealers moving in to target the large population of young people employed by the industry.
"We've noticed a number of people moved down from places like Liverpool and Manchester where the problem is apparent all the time. They've introduced the problem into our area," said a police spokesman.
He said that the nearby town of Hungerford was experiencing "nothing like the same problem", fuelling police concerns that dealers are attracted to the racing community because of the high proportion of young stable lads with a weekly wage to burn.
"I wouldn't connect it solely with racing but it's a young people's problem, and there are a lot of young people mixing in pubs in Lambourn. It's a very cosmopolitan population . . . you've got Irish lads, Scottish lads, Liverpudlian lads." He added that despite the success of recent raids, intelligence services had said there was still a problem in the village.
"We can base that on a previous operation regarding ecstasy, which was rife around 18 months ago. We had eight drugs raids in one go. We took out a main dealer of ecstasy and a couple of local dealers," he said. The problem then subsided, until police became aware that there was a "significant problem" with heroin use among the 17-25 age group.
He said the racing industry took the problem "very seriously" and that police had worked in conjunction with the Jockey Club to address it. Trainers and community leaders are privately said to be watching carefully for signs of drug abuse among stable lads, but are publicly keen to play down suggestions that there might be a problem. Peter Penfold, a Lambourn parish councillor, said that while there was a "core" of young people that used drugs in Lambourn, "we are advised by police that it is no more a problem than any other area".
But suggestions of drug use in racing are not new - and are not confined to horse-doping. A spokesman for Newmarket police said last week that there had "always been a bit of a problem" and said there was a "suggestion" that there was "a preponderance of drugs in the racing fraternity". One racing source said last week that there were "always stable lads who you knew you could get drugs off if you wanted to".
He said drug use among lads - traditionally amphetamine based - occurred mainly because of the long, hard hours involved. "It's pretty exhausting work. In some yards you start at 5am, work till midday, try and get some sleep until 4 then do evening stables.
"At the end of the week they've got cash and it's just a relief from what is a fairly miserable existence. [Lads] all blow their money on drink and drugs on Fridays and most of them are penniless by Monday," he said. "They're the perfect people to aim at."
He believed that the problem was largely confined to the lower echelons of racing as "very few of the jockeys do it since drug testing [was introduced]."
Random testing of jockeys began in 1994, after advice from police in the Newmarket and Lambourn areas suggested that there might be a drug problem. This followed the arrest in 1993 of the leading jockey Frankie Dettori, who was officially cautioned after being found in possession of a quantity of cocaine.
Shortly afterwards, Billy Ellison, the stable lad who looked after the Grand National winner Red Rum, claimed he ran a drugs ring at Newmarket, selling amphetamines to a string of well-known riders. According to Ellison, jockeys took the drug because it suppressed appetite, helping them to keep their weight down, while giving them excess energy.
Weight and stamina are the key issues in racing; a more recent survey of 500 jockeys showed that more than 70 per cent had attempted to lose more than 5 lb in 24 hours and that many resorted to drugs, diuretics and slimming pills.
Following the introduction of testing in Britain, two other apprentice jockeys, Darren Salter and Sean McCarthy, have been the subject of temporary bans following failed drugs tests and, according to the source, there have been "a lot of changed personalities in the weighing- room".
In February, still insisting that drugs were less of a problem in racing than in society at large, the Jockey Club launched a programme for jockeys on drug awareness and a booklet produced by the charity Lifeline was sent to all apprentice and conditional jockeys.
Police in Lambourn are confident that they are attacking the root of the latest problem. But according to the racing source, as long as weight and stamina are the key issues in racing then drug abuse will continue. He added: "It's always been there - if it's increasing it's just reflecting the rest of society really."
He lives in Blackpool btw, just in case you want some rock..
O.K. - That clears that one up then - thanks......have wondered for a very long time.
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