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The British Horseracing Authority said on Tuesday that it would be “happy to help” any trainer with “concerns about information from their yard being used for betting purposes”, a few hours after Nicky Henderson’s outstanding chaser Altior was scratched from Saturday’s Silviniaco Conti Chase at Kempton Park following a drift in the ante-post betting from 1-4 to 5-2.
There was no market on Saturday’s race on the Betfair betting exchange, but Altior started to drift with the bookies on Tuesday morning in the face of strong support for his stable companion Top Notch, who won the race last season. By 11.43am, when Henderson confirmed on Twitter that Altior would not be running at Kempton, Top Notch had been cut to 5-4 favourite from around 5-1.
While emphasising that the Authority “does not comment on speculation around specific incidents”, a BHA statement on Tuesday evening said that “in general, however, we do have the ability to look into these matters if there is a concern around inside information being used to back or lay horses, if it is appropriate.” The statement added: “Should any trainer have concerns about information from their yard being used for betting purposes, then we would be happy to help them look into it.”
Altior is understood to have missed his usual spot in the first lot to exercise at Henderson’s stable on Tuesday morning and worked with a later lot instead, though no decision on whether or not he would run on Saturday had been taken at that stage.
Henderson later explained the reasons behind the decision to miss Kempton in a blog post on the website of bookmaker Unibet, which has a long-standing association with the trainer and sponsors his yard.
“We do not feel he looks his absolute best,” the trainer said, “and despite working well on Saturday he is still not 100% compared to previous years and he could still be feeling the side effects of the antibiotics he was given to treat the abscess on his wither.”
Nicky Henderson
✔
@sevenbarrows
Altior will not run @kemptonparkrace on Saturday. Full details in my @UnibetRacing blog shortly.
Altior will now be aimed at the Game Spirit Chase at Newbury on 8 February and will have a single entry at the Cheltenham Festival in the Queen Mother Champion Chase, which he has won for the last two seasons.
In terms of the amount of money involved, anyone who backed Top Notch for Saturday’s race on Tuesday morning armed with the knowledge – or very strong suspicion – that Altior would not be running is highly unlikely to be retiring on the proceeds, even if Top Notch obliges this weekend. Bookies are not stupid and their willingness to knock back any bet they don’t fancy is legendary, so the actual amount staked at Top Notch’s overnight price of 5-1 was surely derisory.
Since these were ‘positive’ bets for one of Altior’s rivals rather than wholesale laying of the favourite on Betfair, it is also more than likely that the rules on misuse of inside information were not breached.
If the betting public ever loses its faith in the overall integrity of the markets, however, racing is doomed – and there is nothing that knocks the punters’ confidence quite like the feeling that somebody else’s card has been marked. On that basis, the abrupt switcheroo between two horses from the same stable in the ante-post betting on Tuesday looked dreadful, and was attracting critical comment on social media for well over an hour before confirmation of Altior’s absence arrived.
In one sense, though, Tuesday’s events did provide some clarity for backers as Henderson also confirmed on his blog that any thoughts of running Altior over two miles and five furlongs in the Ryanair Chase in March are now over. Confusion over multiple targets at Cheltenham is one reason why ante-post betting on the Festival has lost some of its popularity in recent years, but punters now know that it is the Champion Chase or nothing for Altior and he is the narrow favourite at 100-30 to make it three wins in a row.
There was no market on Saturday’s race on the Betfair betting exchange, but Altior started to drift with the bookies on Tuesday morning in the face of strong support for his stable companion Top Notch, who won the race last season. By 11.43am, when Henderson confirmed on Twitter that Altior would not be running at Kempton, Top Notch had been cut to 5-4 favourite from around 5-1.
While emphasising that the Authority “does not comment on speculation around specific incidents”, a BHA statement on Tuesday evening said that “in general, however, we do have the ability to look into these matters if there is a concern around inside information being used to back or lay horses, if it is appropriate.” The statement added: “Should any trainer have concerns about information from their yard being used for betting purposes, then we would be happy to help them look into it.”
Altior is understood to have missed his usual spot in the first lot to exercise at Henderson’s stable on Tuesday morning and worked with a later lot instead, though no decision on whether or not he would run on Saturday had been taken at that stage.
Henderson later explained the reasons behind the decision to miss Kempton in a blog post on the website of bookmaker Unibet, which has a long-standing association with the trainer and sponsors his yard.
“We do not feel he looks his absolute best,” the trainer said, “and despite working well on Saturday he is still not 100% compared to previous years and he could still be feeling the side effects of the antibiotics he was given to treat the abscess on his wither.”
Nicky Henderson
✔
@sevenbarrows
Altior will not run @kemptonparkrace on Saturday. Full details in my @UnibetRacing blog shortly.
Altior will now be aimed at the Game Spirit Chase at Newbury on 8 February and will have a single entry at the Cheltenham Festival in the Queen Mother Champion Chase, which he has won for the last two seasons.
In terms of the amount of money involved, anyone who backed Top Notch for Saturday’s race on Tuesday morning armed with the knowledge – or very strong suspicion – that Altior would not be running is highly unlikely to be retiring on the proceeds, even if Top Notch obliges this weekend. Bookies are not stupid and their willingness to knock back any bet they don’t fancy is legendary, so the actual amount staked at Top Notch’s overnight price of 5-1 was surely derisory.
Since these were ‘positive’ bets for one of Altior’s rivals rather than wholesale laying of the favourite on Betfair, it is also more than likely that the rules on misuse of inside information were not breached.
If the betting public ever loses its faith in the overall integrity of the markets, however, racing is doomed – and there is nothing that knocks the punters’ confidence quite like the feeling that somebody else’s card has been marked. On that basis, the abrupt switcheroo between two horses from the same stable in the ante-post betting on Tuesday looked dreadful, and was attracting critical comment on social media for well over an hour before confirmation of Altior’s absence arrived.
In one sense, though, Tuesday’s events did provide some clarity for backers as Henderson also confirmed on his blog that any thoughts of running Altior over two miles and five furlongs in the Ryanair Chase in March are now over. Confusion over multiple targets at Cheltenham is one reason why ante-post betting on the Festival has lost some of its popularity in recent years, but punters now know that it is the Champion Chase or nothing for Altior and he is the narrow favourite at 100-30 to make it three wins in a row.
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What a ridiculous statement from the BHA - "Should any trainer have concerns about information from their yard being used for betting purposes, then we would be happy to help them look into it."
I thought trainers were allowed to bet by the BHA and isn't Nicky Henderson personally paid and sponsored by a bookmaker?
The BHA is not fit for purpose.
I thought trainers were allowed to bet by the BHA and isn't Nicky Henderson personally paid and sponsored by a bookmaker?
The BHA is not fit for purpose.
Tedious last month as the great horse did not run in the King George nor the Desert Orchid and now the Silviano Conti .........I look forward to seeing him run ,but really do not want to hear any more until the tapes go up and he is actually racing.
Well they can't blame the exchanges for this one yet no mention about the actual bookmakers involved and why they continued to take every last pound they could out of it.
Maybe it would of looked too obvious on Saturday if Top Notch won and Altior (fav) lost making it 3 Saturdays on the trott.
annoys me that the r post say bets were refunded on betfair, there was no market on betfair and if there was it would not be refunded, betfair is the EXCHANGE, sportsbook is just another bookmaking firm.
ashleigh.....Hadn't read the article in the RP which is supposed to be an industry paper yet this article from the Guardian makes it clear that the exchange had no market.
UPDATED 7:01PM, JAN 8 2020
The BHA has revealed that Altior has yet to be scratched from Saturday's Silviniaco Conti Chase at Kempton and called on trainer Nicky Henderson to clarify Altior's participation "in the interests of fairness and transparency".
In a statement on Wednesday evening the authority said it would be sending a BHA vet to Henderson's Seven Barrows yard to examine the two-time Champion Chase winner.
On Tuesday Henderson ruled the star chaser out of the race, but not before Altior's price had drifted significantly with bookmakers including the trainer's primary sponsor, Unibet.
A BHA statement read: "The BHA can confirm that Altior continues to hold his entry for the Unibet Silviniaco Conti Chase at Kempton Park on Saturday.
"As a result of this, the BHA has, in the first instance, spoken with Mr Henderson and reminded him of his obligation under the rules to immediately scratch a horse if, at any time between closing and the deadline for declarations, the trainer becomes aware that the horse is not going to run.
"The BHA has also arranged for a BHA veterinary surgeon to examine the horse tomorrow.
"In the interests of fairness and transparency for racing fans and the betting public, it is for Mr Henderson to clarify his plans publicly as soon as he can.
"The BHA will monitor the situation but we won’t comment on wider issues or any potential rule breaches at this point."
In response, five-time champion jumps trainer Henderson said: “I have nothing further to add to what is in the BHA statement this evening.”
Racing professionals are encouraged by the BHA to make "market sensitive" information live via their own channels such as social media or through the wider media before extra information is put forward in bookmaker-hosted blogs.
The BHA has revealed that Altior has yet to be scratched from Saturday's Silviniaco Conti Chase at Kempton and called on trainer Nicky Henderson to clarify Altior's participation "in the interests of fairness and transparency".
In a statement on Wednesday evening the authority said it would be sending a BHA vet to Henderson's Seven Barrows yard to examine the two-time Champion Chase winner.
On Tuesday Henderson ruled the star chaser out of the race, but not before Altior's price had drifted significantly with bookmakers including the trainer's primary sponsor, Unibet.
A BHA statement read: "The BHA can confirm that Altior continues to hold his entry for the Unibet Silviniaco Conti Chase at Kempton Park on Saturday.
"As a result of this, the BHA has, in the first instance, spoken with Mr Henderson and reminded him of his obligation under the rules to immediately scratch a horse if, at any time between closing and the deadline for declarations, the trainer becomes aware that the horse is not going to run.
"The BHA has also arranged for a BHA veterinary surgeon to examine the horse tomorrow.
"In the interests of fairness and transparency for racing fans and the betting public, it is for Mr Henderson to clarify his plans publicly as soon as he can.
"The BHA will monitor the situation but we won’t comment on wider issues or any potential rule breaches at this point."
In response, five-time champion jumps trainer Henderson said: “I have nothing further to add to what is in the BHA statement this evening.”
Racing professionals are encouraged by the BHA to make "market sensitive" information live via their own channels such as social media or through the wider media before extra information is put forward in bookmaker-hosted blogs.
Nothing is going to change re the bookmaker sponsorships of trainers and jockeys,its very very substantial easy money for doing basically bugger all.
And yet the BHA do nothing regarding the £500 free bet account Henderson , Walsh and co have with a leading bookmaker .
doing a lot of 2 horse in a race and outsider lately is he thinking of calling it a day soon and getting pension money stored
wonder what the salary is from bookmaker 100k a year 150k at a guess so who comes first to know punters or paymasters
wonder what the salary is from bookmaker 100k a year 150k at a guess so who comes first to know punters or paymasters
Reporting Altior to have been in good form since the original announcement of his non-participation was made, Henderson told the PA News agency on Thursday: “As much as I would have liked to run him on Saturday, I feel that under the circumstances it is better not to – and therefore he will be taken out of the race and wait for future engagements, of which there are not very many, except for the obvious ones being the Clarence House (at Ascot) and the Game Spirit (at Newbury).
“The BHA vet came to see him this morning and totally agrees with me that the horse is fit, sound and ready to run, but obviously he doesn’t know the horse as well as we do and appreciates we might have seen a difference in him over Monday and Tuesday.”
They should throw the book at him , he has been caught red handed.
“The BHA vet came to see him this morning and totally agrees with me that the horse is fit, sound and ready to run, but obviously he doesn’t know the horse as well as we do and appreciates we might have seen a difference in him over Monday and Tuesday.”
They should throw the book at him , he has been caught red handed.
So what will the BHA do now after their vet reported that Altior was fit, sound and ready to run?
Answer....nothing.
Answer....nothing.
So what will the BHA do now after their vet reported that Altior was fit, sound and ready to run?
Answer....nothing.
Answer....nothing.
I think Altior was left in just in case something untoward was to happen to Top Notch. And, those with inside info had made a killing backing Top Notch (I think he was 12/1 now 4/5) even before the race. The irony is Hendo has agreed with the BHA vet that Altior is fit, sound and in good health, and is ready to run.
As a result of this injudicious behaviour Hendo has taken a few downward notches as far as I'm concerned.
As a result of this injudicious behaviour Hendo has taken a few downward notches as far as I'm concerned.
didnt we have a similar "situation" with Hendo/Altior and Unibet a few years ago think it was over his non participation in the tingle creek.
didn't hendo lump on no winners at chelt once to cover expenses,through the book at Swindon for similar thinking
Yes - Henderson did place that bet
The 'No Winners' Losing bet - as he DID have Winners - being paid out of the Winning Percentages that he, consequently, received from said Winners at that Cheltenham Festival.
The 'No Winners' Losing bet - as he DID have Winners - being paid out of the Winning Percentages that he, consequently, received from said Winners at that Cheltenham Festival.
Bloke is a top notch fraud in my book going back to the Moonlit Path doping scandal which was followed by the Binocular doping scandal.
He has certainly gone down in my estimations, and I'm sure quite a few other racing fans as well. Totally stinks. Amazing the horse has "issues" yet when an independent vet pops up, all is well. mmmmmmmmm
heard lucky singing his praises on sunday never refuses him an interview ,his time etc,etc,maybe lucky and co should start to ask themselves why, 
binocular was a late withdrawal from the 2011 champion hurdle because a steroid was still in his system. If you remember in the 2010 race which binocular won he had gone out to 1000 on the exchange because Henderson had said publicly the horse wouldn't run.
Yes posy I well remember that year it hit 1000 and all the uproar surrounding it.
The BHA need to ask for all communications between Henderson and his bookmaker friends
I agree that it stinks bit not because of the health of Altior. There was nothing wrong with Paisley Park when he was withdrawn either. The difference is that Emma Lavelle didn't tip off a bookmaker so far as we know. It now seems that they no longer plan to run Altior over 2.5 miles again.
What a load of absolute Bollox. All these trainers are all proxy gamblers taking advantage of their inside information, and controlling sports media with disinformation !!!
The non-participation of Paisley Park on the day of the race was entirely different as the ground had deteriorated massively post a further deluge (it was already very soft), and this was highlighted prior by his trainer.
Hendo had since alluded to a slight intention of running Altior this weekend hence his declaration on wednesday afternoon despite Hendo indicated Altior would not be running the day before.
If there is any justice something untoward could still happen to Top Notch (another of Hendo), then Hendo could be left with no potential financial reward on the day of the race.
Clearly self-interest before (others) for this trainer.
Hendo had since alluded to a slight intention of running Altior this weekend hence his declaration on wednesday afternoon despite Hendo indicated Altior would not be running the day before.
If there is any justice something untoward could still happen to Top Notch (another of Hendo), then Hendo could be left with no potential financial reward on the day of the race.
Clearly self-interest before (others) for this trainer.
It absolutely stinks, and you'd have to be delusional to think that private conversations are not occurring between Henderson and Unibet employees about his horses because of the (paid for) relationship he has with them.
I wonder if her majesty is a little embarrassed at awarding him a knighthood recently as already said by some on here he has got away with plenty over the years his influence on the framing of races at some tracks is to powerful.
I recall a whiff of something surrounding that horse ; I know he was off the course for a long time but will have to do some research to remind myself of the details.
Trabolgan
PULED UP
2. Trabolgan (IRE) 4/7F Marcus Foley Nicky Henderson 6-110 – – – –
Held up in mid-division, hit 2nd, pulled up before 4th, dismounted (jockey said gelding lost its action) (op 8-11 tchd 4-5 in a place)
WON - the Feltham Novice Chase -Kempton Christmas) - 2 outings later
Then - WON - The RSA at the Cheltenham Festival - next outing
Then - WON - The Hennessey - First time in a Handicap - next outong
PULED UP
2. Trabolgan (IRE) 4/7F Marcus Foley Nicky Henderson 6-110 – – – –
Held up in mid-division, hit 2nd, pulled up before 4th, dismounted (jockey said gelding lost its action) (op 8-11 tchd 4-5 in a place)
WON - the Feltham Novice Chase -Kempton Christmas) - 2 outings later
Then - WON - The RSA at the Cheltenham Festival - next outing
Then - WON - The Hennessey - First time in a Handicap - next outong
* sorry ... WON - Next time out -
Then - Beaten Short-Head, by Ollie, in the Feltham
Then - Beaten Short-Head, by Ollie, in the Feltham
Prior to the sun alliance onlooker he was beaten in a 4 runner at Haydock strange betting patterns.
Can't wait for the Opening Line to discuss ......especially a certain ex jockey. 
Altior as a name was akin to Sprinter Sacre , Kauto Star , Big Bucks , Istabraq .......... he really does not deserve us to recall him in the future and think of this episode..... and he should not , it is not his fault.
that trabolgan race where he pulled up smelt real bad
They might just get their comeuppance tomorrow, happy to get 3.3 about Frodon.
Given a great ride.
Bookies won twice on Hendo horses. First Altior ante post and then top notch.
After several poor runs elsewhere, they gift Henderson the Lanzarote!
Henderson now on RTV trying to explain his actions. Said he rang the BHA at 9am in the morning and that the BHA had never reported that.
Yet the BHA decided to send one of their vets to Seven Burrows to be definitive. I think on entity is suffering from selective amnesia, and I do not mean Altior - he's only a horse!
At least everything is sorted out now sir nicky will inform the press association before anybody else so we can all now sleep easy knowing everything sir nicky does in the future will benefit the punters.
No doubt all his owners will also be pleased about the way things will be from now on.
No doubt all his owners will also be pleased about the way things will be from now on.
Nicky " It's all very well people talking down the bookmakers' involvement but they put a lot of money into the game." he forgot to add his own back pocket to the statement
I am more interested in the 0/30 Altior for 3 in a row Champion Chases at Cheltenham
Hendo is still bleating despite he created the whole unsavoury mess. He only realised something fishy when journos phoned to ask about the wilderness walk in price of Altior; he's presiding over a leaky ship.
But, justice prevailed in the end. Top Notch the price benefactor of the defection of Altior was turned over by Frodon.
But, justice prevailed in the end. Top Notch the price benefactor of the defection of Altior was turned over by Frodon.
Other than stating Altior will not run /Leaving him in the race and notifying his bookmaker sponsors 1st .
He did nothing wrong imo
He did nothing wrong imo
According to the discussion earlier today it's all about Twitter these days.
Sir nicky is not a happy chappy today the headline front page of the post says
Henderson expresses fury over handling of Altior saga.
Goes on to say that lot on the Betfair forum need to keep there noses out after all what on earth do they know.
Henderson expresses fury over handling of Altior saga.
Goes on to say that lot on the Betfair forum need to keep there noses out after all what on earth do they know.
Would be interesting whether Unibet actually took any "informed" bets on Top Notch @ inflated prices prior to the news.
I doubt very much other than thank yous for the info.
I doubt very much other than thank yous for the info.
foxy 12 Jan 20 14:16
Sir nicky is not a happy chappy today the headline front page of the post says
Henderson expresses fury over handling of Altior saga.
Goes on to say that lot on the Betfair forum need to keep there noses out after all what on earth do they know.
You've really upset him now, foxy. You and you mates on the betfair forum.
Sir nicky is not a happy chappy today the headline front page of the post says
Henderson expresses fury over handling of Altior saga.
Goes on to say that lot on the Betfair forum need to keep there noses out after all what on earth do they know.
You've really upset him now, foxy. You and you mates on the betfair forum.
My very brief experience with Unibet I would be very surprised if they took any bets informed or uninformed.
Nicky Henderson has pledged not to reveal market sensitive information about his horses through his sponsor Unibet as he expressed fury over the handling of Altior's controversial absence from Kempton's Silviniaco Conti Chase.
The five-time champion trainer said his bookmaker-sponsored updates would instead be restricted to more routine news, with anything that might significantly impact a betting market announced via the Press Association.
Altior was scratched from the Silviniaco Conti Chase on Thursday, 48 hours after Henderson had announced on his Unibet-sponsored blog that he was not happy with the two-time Champion Chase winner.
Henderson's stable star was long odds-on for the 2m4f contest, but drifted alarmingly in the market on Tuesday morning before Henderson publicly expressed concern about his wellbeing.
Henderson said he was contacted by a media outlet about the drift and immediately called the BHA.
Speaking at Kempton on Saturday, where he saddled two winners, Henderson said: "Altior just didn't look right that morning, but before we knew it there was a rumour.
"The first thing I did, which nobody seems to have mentioned, certainly not the BHA, is that I rang their integrity department at 8.45am on Tuesday morning to tell them we had a problem with Altior and told them there was something fishy going on.
"Most people think that there wasn't anything wrong until I made an announcement at 12 o'clock, but that isn't the case. The BHA are well aware I'd informed them before 9am that all wasn't well, but they haven't mentioned that in all this and then everyone is knocking me.
"I had to speak to my owner first before I could go public with the information and I couldn't get hold of them until midday. I rang the BHA but they haven't mentioned that."
He added: "I'm furious. I've been furious the whole way through. What more could I have done that morning?"
Altior scratched from Kempton as Henderson admits considering run after all
The BHA sent a vet to examine Altior on Thursday and found him to be fit and sound, but Henderson still opted to scratch the horse.
Henderson, whose eventual representative Top Notch finished third, said about Altior: "He looked better the next day and he remained in the race on Thursday when the BHA vet came down and said he was sound and happy. I love the way that then BHA put out that 'horse scratched after BHA vet visits horse'. That insinuates that the horse was taken out because of the BHA vet, but he wasn't. After all the shemozzle we decided it wasn't worth it.
"I had wanted to run the horse, but the only plus side is that I may well have taken him out anyway because of the soft ground here today."
All stable employees are supposed to keep inside information confidential as terms of their employment.
Henderson said: "I have reminded my employees about their responsibilities and in future we'll be releasing such sensitive information through the Press Association. The more routine stuff we will continue to put out ourselves. It's all very well people talking down the bookmakers' involvement but they put a lot of money into the game."
Following Henderson's comments on the matter, a BHA spokesman said: "We can confirm that Mr Henderson contacted us on Tuesday morning. It would not be standard practice for the BHA to proactively make public the details of confidential conversations with a trainer, particularly if those conversations related to the potential use of inside information.
"Mr Henderson's call was to let us know that he was concerned about why the horse was drifting in the market despite no decision having been made about his participation. The BHA was in regular contact with Mr Henderson from Tuesday morning onwards in relation to this, but the communication of a horse's running plans is a matter for the trainer.
"This, however, is an entirely separate issue to our statement on Wednesday evening, which was instead related to the fact that Mr Henderson had not yet scratched the horse despite having said on Tuesday that it was not going to run and designed to keep the racing and betting public up to date."
The five-time champion trainer said his bookmaker-sponsored updates would instead be restricted to more routine news, with anything that might significantly impact a betting market announced via the Press Association.
Altior was scratched from the Silviniaco Conti Chase on Thursday, 48 hours after Henderson had announced on his Unibet-sponsored blog that he was not happy with the two-time Champion Chase winner.
Henderson's stable star was long odds-on for the 2m4f contest, but drifted alarmingly in the market on Tuesday morning before Henderson publicly expressed concern about his wellbeing.
Henderson said he was contacted by a media outlet about the drift and immediately called the BHA.
Speaking at Kempton on Saturday, where he saddled two winners, Henderson said: "Altior just didn't look right that morning, but before we knew it there was a rumour.
"The first thing I did, which nobody seems to have mentioned, certainly not the BHA, is that I rang their integrity department at 8.45am on Tuesday morning to tell them we had a problem with Altior and told them there was something fishy going on.
"Most people think that there wasn't anything wrong until I made an announcement at 12 o'clock, but that isn't the case. The BHA are well aware I'd informed them before 9am that all wasn't well, but they haven't mentioned that in all this and then everyone is knocking me.
"I had to speak to my owner first before I could go public with the information and I couldn't get hold of them until midday. I rang the BHA but they haven't mentioned that."
He added: "I'm furious. I've been furious the whole way through. What more could I have done that morning?"
Altior scratched from Kempton as Henderson admits considering run after all
The BHA sent a vet to examine Altior on Thursday and found him to be fit and sound, but Henderson still opted to scratch the horse.
Henderson, whose eventual representative Top Notch finished third, said about Altior: "He looked better the next day and he remained in the race on Thursday when the BHA vet came down and said he was sound and happy. I love the way that then BHA put out that 'horse scratched after BHA vet visits horse'. That insinuates that the horse was taken out because of the BHA vet, but he wasn't. After all the shemozzle we decided it wasn't worth it.
"I had wanted to run the horse, but the only plus side is that I may well have taken him out anyway because of the soft ground here today."
All stable employees are supposed to keep inside information confidential as terms of their employment.
Henderson said: "I have reminded my employees about their responsibilities and in future we'll be releasing such sensitive information through the Press Association. The more routine stuff we will continue to put out ourselves. It's all very well people talking down the bookmakers' involvement but they put a lot of money into the game."
Following Henderson's comments on the matter, a BHA spokesman said: "We can confirm that Mr Henderson contacted us on Tuesday morning. It would not be standard practice for the BHA to proactively make public the details of confidential conversations with a trainer, particularly if those conversations related to the potential use of inside information.
"Mr Henderson's call was to let us know that he was concerned about why the horse was drifting in the market despite no decision having been made about his participation. The BHA was in regular contact with Mr Henderson from Tuesday morning onwards in relation to this, but the communication of a horse's running plans is a matter for the trainer.
"This, however, is an entirely separate issue to our statement on Wednesday evening, which was instead related to the fact that Mr Henderson had not yet scratched the horse despite having said on Tuesday that it was not going to run and designed to keep the racing and betting public up to date."
Some trainer I can’t remember which one sparrow did have a pop at this forum a while back.
Of course we know little about horse racing/horse betting/horse racing price manipulation as it's only a hobby or past time recreational activity. But, we do know and understand about price manipulation and why it exists eg dealings in stocks and shares - we do dabble in that too. And, horse racing is no different.
The sad thing is where there's (easy) money to be made utilising (privileged) inside info ie from stable GREED has tended to win esp so in horse racing using the Betfair Exchange as the conduit to defraud others less fortunate and savvy. Unless the punishment is the same for price manipulation in horse racing and stocks and shares eg a heavy fine and/or imprisonment this unsavoury and greedy of a few with inside info will not stop - that one can be assured of.
The sad thing is where there's (easy) money to be made utilising (privileged) inside info ie from stable GREED has tended to win esp so in horse racing using the Betfair Exchange as the conduit to defraud others less fortunate and savvy. Unless the punishment is the same for price manipulation in horse racing and stocks and shares eg a heavy fine and/or imprisonment this unsavoury and greedy of a few with inside info will not stop - that one can be assured of.
What all of us should never forget is that nobody gives a f..k about punters.
I cannot remember for certain, but I think a country - it could be Australia - where no liaison of jockey, trainer and bookmaker is allowed, deemed illegal and punishable by a hefty fine, a ban or expulsion from their respective profession/industry?
Of course the bookies pumped a lot of money into the industry - the industry that pedals the sport of kings - using the ill-gotten gains from fobt for the last 2 decades until just recently. And, not a word from horse racing journos/presenters, jockeys and/or trainers voicing their disapprovals in public. I wonder why...rocking the applecart perhaps.
Of course the bookies pumped a lot of money into the industry - the industry that pedals the sport of kings - using the ill-gotten gains from fobt for the last 2 decades until just recently. And, not a word from horse racing journos/presenters, jockeys and/or trainers voicing their disapprovals in public. I wonder why...rocking the applecart perhaps.
Yes, I did read the reported piece by Beckett, and rightly so too.
But, horse racing bookies are no longer taking bets even from recreational punters. I do not have an account with Unibet because of the treatment of others by that bookie (and many more bookies) are so unjust, unprofessional and diabolical eg prevent withdrawals after a small win citing id verification (but not before accepting deposit/placing the bet), restricting bets/closing of accounts, etc; the stock brokers do not and have never denied any payment to their clients either.
But, the bookies ie the entities pumping a lot of money (punters money and not shareholders money) into horse racing, according to the informed/associates are also the same entities preventing withdrawals by recreational punters for small amounts.
What I'd like to ask the informed and associates of these bookies why these bookies do not and/or are very selective in accepting bets even from recreational punters? Could it be these bookies have an ulterior motive eg exposure on tv/media for their others product eg online roulette/slots/games/etc, ie anything but horse racing?
But, horse racing bookies are no longer taking bets even from recreational punters. I do not have an account with Unibet because of the treatment of others by that bookie (and many more bookies) are so unjust, unprofessional and diabolical eg prevent withdrawals after a small win citing id verification (but not before accepting deposit/placing the bet), restricting bets/closing of accounts, etc; the stock brokers do not and have never denied any payment to their clients either.
But, the bookies ie the entities pumping a lot of money (punters money and not shareholders money) into horse racing, according to the informed/associates are also the same entities preventing withdrawals by recreational punters for small amounts.
What I'd like to ask the informed and associates of these bookies why these bookies do not and/or are very selective in accepting bets even from recreational punters? Could it be these bookies have an ulterior motive eg exposure on tv/media for their others product eg online roulette/slots/games/etc, ie anything but horse racing?
If 'they do pump money it is not philanthropic.
They are in the business and make money , so to suggest they are 'pumping' money in as some justification is hogwash.
They are in the business and make money , so to suggest they are 'pumping' money in as some justification is hogwash.
Agree sixtwosix. Bookmakers do what they have always done and look after their businesses by all means possible.
"It's all very well people talking down the bookmakers' involvement but they put a lot of money into the game." Much as I admire this trainer, that one comment alone sums up how some (bookies & some trainers) view racing as being a mutually beneficial exercise at the expense of the betting public. Unfortunately, it tars many in the game with the same brush - and wrongly so (Ralph Beckett among others) in many cases. Chinese Walls can never be foolproof but they would make a good start. The problem is that too many of those responsible for the policing also have a serious interest in seeing the prize money coming in from the bookies.
The present day bookies may be sponsoring races and pumping money into the game of horse racing (it's only a game) - it's their business, and it does their image good. But, they do not take bets from even the recreational punters like they once used to do. They are not horse racing bookies - they are online electronic games, slots and virtual racing operators. And, exposure to tv/media is one of the most effective way of enhancing their brand; horse racing is a loss leader, but a necessary one.
The Betting and Gaming Act needs a radical reform to reflect the change of time and technology - it's out-of-date. For instance, these online electronic games, slots and virtual racing ought to come under the same licence as casinos and amusement arcade; bookies ought not to be represented on the high street either.
The BHA were the main supporter of FOBT regardless of the miseries fobt caused to society, and the families of the addicted.
The Betting and Gaming Act needs a radical reform to reflect the change of time and technology - it's out-of-date. For instance, these online electronic games, slots and virtual racing ought to come under the same licence as casinos and amusement arcade; bookies ought not to be represented on the high street either.
The BHA were the main supporter of FOBT regardless of the miseries fobt caused to society, and the families of the addicted.
What do these things have in common?
The BHA.
Britain's racecourses.
The Racing Post.
Sky Sports Racing and RUK.
Virtually all of the journalists and broadcasters employed by the racing media.
Virtually every big name trainer.
The answer is they are all being funded by the bookmaking industry.
Every last sector of this industry has a vested interest in the profitability of organisations with no other agenda than to remove the money of us, its consumers.
Until punters choose to act as a group in our own interests (and don't tell me a few well meaning people getting together in a BHA office four times a year can ever do that), then don't expect things to change any time soon.
The BHA.
Britain's racecourses.
The Racing Post.
Sky Sports Racing and RUK.
Virtually all of the journalists and broadcasters employed by the racing media.
Virtually every big name trainer.
The answer is they are all being funded by the bookmaking industry.
Every last sector of this industry has a vested interest in the profitability of organisations with no other agenda than to remove the money of us, its consumers.
Until punters choose to act as a group in our own interests (and don't tell me a few well meaning people getting together in a BHA office four times a year can ever do that), then don't expect things to change any time soon.
The proliferation of gambling addicts and gambling advertisement are closely related. As such, I firmly believe gambling adverts except The National Lottery (only 2x a week) ought to be banned esp football on mobile, tv and social media. These days one cannot log onto a betting site without being inundated with gambling pop-ups esp those from The Racing Post - the mouthpiece of bookies.
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