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I also think Lydia Hislop is brilliant, Cormack, and brave.<br>Let’s hope she continues as I’m sure she must be annoying, if not infuriating, a few people.
Thanks wit for the interesting first William Hill judgement.<br>I still think it is unfair that WH & co can use information, compiled and sorted by others, for free.<br>The Weatherby admin site does contain Handicap ratings, provisional entries, non runners, etc. I think it’s the immediacy of the info (rather than waiting and getting it second-hand) that would be of interest plus the accuracy (apart from very late jockey changes).
Weatherbys do charge for their databases (not the jockey one) but it is only available (as far as I understand it) to those who are involved in the racing industry and/or have an account with them.<br>Why they do not open this information to everyone who could pay through their credit/debit cards I don’t know. Would the reason be a legal one?
Glad you explained that one, seabird. Some people think jockeys are mere pilots.<br>With regard to taking other jockeys’ rides, when owners realise a high profile jock is available and prepared to ride their horse, they think nothing of disposing with the original booking, even if this is just before the race. <br>Loyalty is a somewhat rare commodity in the racing world but, unfortunately, isn’t it the same in any business?
wit, couldn’t agree more. Lester certainly does deserve much better. He took the rap but others were involved.
seabird, do read Seabiscuit, pages 70-73. Just one condensed quote:<br>"To pilot a racehorse…is one of the most formidable feats in sport… extraordinary athleticism".<br>A study is detailed and conclusions were that pound for pound a jockey is probably the best overall athlete.<br>
If I have got Wit’s suggestion correct, all matters, including those connected with the integrity of racing, would be the responsibility of the trainer who employed or hired the alleged miscreant.<br>Good.
Lord Oaksey appeals to me, and I’m working class.<br>Thommo does not because he’s too sycophantic.<br>McCririck has a few good points but he’s too rude.
Horse racing’s appeal is surely not just for making money by using one’s wit.<br>It should be considered a sport worth watching for its colour, vibrance, and magnificence of horse and jockey.<br>Gambling is an added spice to the mixture and too much of it leads to the ruination of the dish and its spectator.
Many thanks Galejade for your informative piece on the City. <br>I know very little about the gambling side of racing but thought bookmakers could lay bets. <br>Internet gambling needs an account to be opened and however fictitious this may be, it does leave an audit trail.<br>Bookmakers can deal in cash with anonymous customers. Perhaps customers should be required to open an account unless at the racecourse?<br>With regard to "inside information" a jockey may know the horse was stopped by someone else previously.<br>How galling for a jockey to watch someone else ride the prepared win and how lucky not to get blamed if it doesn’t!
And whilst I’m having a ‘rant’ I would like to see trainers banned from running their horses for a period of days or even weeks if one in their care fails a drug test or is found to be injured yet is still allowed to race.
Galejade<br>What model would you suggest if "inside information" is not appropriate?<br>Banning betting exchanges would surely not help. They have exposed to a degree what has been going on for years.<br>Monitoring every race happens now and no amount of modern technology would prove beyond doubt that a jockey has not ridden a horse to merit.<br>As for the public’s attitude, I think they have always thought racing was a bit dodgy, but not totally corrupt.<br>The HRA are now trying to expose those who cheat for monetary gain. This is very different to a young and inexperienced horse being given a quiet ride.<br>What needs sorting is:<br>(a) Experienced horses not being allowed to run to merit for a reduction in their handicap mark and/or an increase in their betting value when "out to win".<br>(b) Jockeys being paid and/or monetary gain by preventing their horses from winning.<br>(c) Races being fixed by a number of jockeys ensuring the result.<br>Any more?<br>
Galejade<br>A jockey is normally contacted by the trainer via a mobile phone prior to the race. That’s when info on the horse/s and tactics are discussed. During a workriding morning there are too many people around.<br>A friend who owns a horse was discussing this evening how the next race will be the "going" one. It’s common practise especially in handicaps, not seen as cheating but merely playing the system, and how the HRA will ever stop it goodness knows.
Jockeys who want to succeed do as they are told.<br>Until they realise they are usually the only ones who get punished (if this indeed happens) there will always be others to replace them.<br>Some owners, trainers, bookmakers etc. are just as guilty. They work as a team with the rider.<br>Hopefully, jockeys will begin to respect themselves for their skill and bravery; not ride to instructions if this means cheating; and report to the HRA those who try to corrupt them.
It’s not that long ago when some bookmakers were shown to have offered ‘no lose’ accounts with some trainers. Why would they do this?<br>Anyone here been offered this marvellous arrangement?
