Warbler, it was Jair Du Cochet she backed against Best Mate, in the Peterborough Chase.
Warbler, it was Jair Du Cochet she backed against Best Mate, in the Peterborough Chase.
"Beat the price and lose. It's what we do".
SlimChance, March 2018
She probably backed them both, as her reason for doing so was superstition, but it was definitely the King George that I remember
Don't be so gloomy. After all it's not that awful. Like the fella says, in Italy for 30 years under the Borgias they had warfare, terror, murder, and bloodshed, but they produced Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, and the Renaissance. In Switzerland they had brotherly love - they had 500 years of democracy and peace, and what did that produce? The cuckoo clock. So long Holly. _ Harry Limes
Any bet struck on the basis of inside information is tantamount to insider dealing on the basis that it's trading to your own advantage on the basis of confidential information. Of course the industry/sport is rife with it and the sport would die if trainers and owners weren't allowed to bet. But jockeys simply aren't allowed to bet. I'd be hugely [and pleasantly] surprised if most jockeys didn't have a way round the rule...
She almost boasted on TV that she'd backed a 20/1 winner that she'd ridden on the gallops in the run up to the race. In fairness to her, she did reveal this information before the race (and after she'd backed it).
Illegitimi non carborundum
Please don't take this personally but you are simply incorrect -riding a horse in a gallop at home will tell you a certain amount but a racecourse presents a different test and success isn't guaranteed for every Nashwan there are probably a dozen Killer Instincts.
In my experience very few stable lads make betting pay and are usually over optimistic about their own horses and stable.
While she technically held a license at the time, she wasn’t riding professionally. Her average stake was £10. This is a ridiculous storm in a teacup and should result in nothing more than a slap on the wrist.
It’s certainly not akin to insider dealing/market abuse.
I agree that there is no guarantee of success but it remains access to private information from which to attempt to profit.
Personally, I wouldn't have a problem with jockeys being allowed to back [to win] something they're riding but how do you police less honest betting activity among jockeys?
I may be wrong but I presume that's why there's a blanket ban on them betting?
Illegitimi non carborundum
I agree although it is unclear if her betting activity continued after she resumed riding. That will probably be clarified when the result of the investigation is published.
Not in the sense that insider dealing can involve so much more than large sums of money but it's the same principle.
It may be like absent-mindedly walking out of a shop without paying for something compared with organised shoplifting but the law sees it the same way. The difference is in the sentencing when/if found guilty.
I agree a slap on the wrist will probably suffice but they also need to send out a clear message along the lines of the wonderful ironic French prase 'pour encourager les autres'.
I reckon they'll fine her a grand or two.
Illegitimi non carborundum
I think we actually agree, GH. In theory, if they're going to blanket ban jockeys from betting they should also do so for owners and trainers, essentially anyone connected to the horse or yard. You see it elsewhere. Go into the entry conditions for a competition from a grocery brand or C4 or ITV etc and the T&Cs will specify anyone connected with the company is disallowed from entering (for transparency reasons), so the poor wee underpaid minion on the production line doesn't get the chance to win a holiday of a lifetime or even just a £5 book voucher.
But I think they simply accept that it wouldn't work and that the sport/industry would pretty much die if they did. Restricting the ban to jockeys allows them to be seen to be doing something.
Illegitimi non carborundum
It will be interesting to see if the episode gets a mention on the ITV racing shows this weekend.
I don't imagine Turner will be allowed to comment for legal reasons (so probably won't appear) but Chapman has his reputation of 'asking the hard questions'.
I'd say it's odds-on he goes native on this one and ducks it.
Illegitimi non carborundum
Agree it's a tricky one, DO.
Agree the game would die on its arse, if owners were prevented from betting their own horses.
Agree preventing jockey's from betting is about as much policing as can reasonably be deployed, without causing a wider issue.
You we're right - we agree!
"Beat the price and lose. It's what we do".
SlimChance, March 2018
Illegitimi non carborundum
So much sweetness and light in the air this morning...
Rhyming slang?
Illegitimi non carborundum
I notice Chapman gave the case a mention in his news roundup this morning. Fair play.
Illegitimi non carborundum