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Horse Racing Betting System
Kieren Fallon has been suspended by the Horseracing Regulatory Authority from all racing in Britain after being charged with conspiracy to defraud.
The ex-champion jockey is one of eight people charged by City of London Police over race-fixing allegations.
The HRA has also suspended fellow jockeys Fergal Lynch and Darren Williams, who face the same charge along with trainer Alan Berry.
Former racing syndicate director Miles Rodgers, Lynch's brother Shaun, farrier Steve O'Sullivan and Philip Sherkle, 39, are the other people charged with the same offences.
All those charged by police have been bailed and are due to appear in court on 17 July 2006.
Fallon is licensed as a jockey in Ireland, and the Irish Turf Club has confirmed he will be able to continue riding there.
Irish Turf Club chief executive Denis Egan said: "As far as we are concerned, Fallon is innocent until proven guilty."
The Jockeys Association of Great Britain said: "We believe the example set by the Irish Turf Club in allowing Kieren Fallon to maintain his licence pending a conclusion to this matter is a sensible and fair approach. It would then be a matter for the employers in the sport as to whether they support such riders."
The 41-year-old Fallon, a six-time champion jockey, flew in to the UK from Ireland on Monday after winning a second successive Irish Derby on Sunday on board Dylan Thomas.
In addition, Rodgers, 37, Joanne Richardson, 27, Darren Armitage, 41, and Brian Pilkington, 70, have been charged over an offence relating to money laundering allegations.
City of London Police confirmed that 17 of the 28 people who answered bail on Monday have been released and are no longer involved in the case.
They include jockey Robert Winston, former rider Paul Bradley, amateur rider Dale Jewett and trainer Karl Burke.
The investigation, which began in September 2004, has examined allegations of conspiracy to defraud involving more than 80 races over two years.
During the investigation, more than 130 police officers raided 19 addresses across Suffolk, North Yorkshire, South Yorkshire and Hertfordshire.
Detective Chief Superintendent Steve Wilmott of City of London Police said the investigation - the largest of its type undertaken by the force - had started when Betfair approached the Jockey Club.
He said: "In early 2004, Betfair, an internet betting exchange, brought to the attention of the Jockey Club a number of what they considered to be irregular betting patterns. The security department of the Jockey Club undertook an investigation and came to the conclusion that there was potential criminality that could undermine the integrity of horse racing."
He added that Monday's events had followed consultation with the Crown Prosecution Service and a leading QC over whether charges should be brought.
During the investigation, 34 arrests were made, more than 500 interviews undertaken, at least 1,300 statements obtained, and almost 40,000 pages of evidence passed to the CPS.
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Interesting perspectives on US political moves to ban online gambling were reported this week in the New York Times, which claims that several interest groups are lining up to lobby for or against Web gambling.
The article reports that an array of interest groups like casinos in the USA and abroad, as well as sports leagues, antigambling coalitions and even poker players, has dispatched lobbyists to argue what should be legal and what should not over a wide range of Internet transmitted gambling entertainment from horse racing to lotteries, and poker to fantasy sports.
Major League Baseball wants to make sure that any measures do not diminish Internet based fantasy sports games, which it credits for a resurgence in its popularity.
The big Las Vegas casinos, which have been neutral over online betting, have embraced a proposal in the House to establish a study commission. Convenience stores are watching to see whether Internet sales of lottery tickets might be affected, though Powerball seems to be safe for now.
The horse racing industry seems confident, but dog tracks are worried. And offshore casinos are fighting any restrictions.
The article embraces the current moves to hamstring online gambling in the House of Representatives, referring to the merge of the Goodlatte (HR 4777) and Leach (HR4411) Bills that have already been the subject of wide discussion. The majority leader, Republican Representative John A. Boehner of Ohio, announced a few days ago that the measure would be voted on this summer as part of what the Republicans call their American Values Agenda (see previous InfoPowa bulletins).
Nevertheless, the Times feels that the odds of a bill becoming law this year appear long...and it comments that nearly everyone agrees that online betting may be "unstoppable" because of the reach of the Internet and the difficulty in regulating its activity.
David O. Stewart, an analyst and a lawyer who produced a study of online gambling for the American Gaming Association, a client of his firm, paraphrased an adage used by the Supreme Court in a campaign finance case, saying: "Money, like water, will find its way. And I really think that applies to this. The money will find a way to get to the offshore sites."
Proponents of Internet gambling argue that the Congressional trend goes against the growing tide of international wagering. As many as 80 countries allow it in some form. The most prominent model is Britain, which through revisions of its gambling laws is about to devise a tax-and-regulatory structure that it hopes will entice offshore gambling companies to locate there.
Other countries are eyeing rulings of the World Trade Organisation, where online gambling jurisdiction Antigua, with its offshore casinos, continues to press the trade body to find that the United States is violating trade agreements by trying to block access to online gambling.
"Americans are already gaming in large numbers because it's entertainment," said Mike McComb, a spokesman for Betmaker.com, based in Costa Rica. "In England, what they've found is that it's just something that needs to be regulated to protect consumers. And it's a great source of [tax] revenue."
In the United States, the fight will intensify when Congress returns from its Fourth of July recess. The House proposal would make it illegal to use a banking instrument like a check or credit card to settle Internet wagers, and it would penalise institutions that act as intermediaries channeling money between the offshore gambling enterprises and American bettors.
The measure would also update the Wire Act of 1961 to specifically prohibit Internet gambling.
The Poker Players Alliance, a relatively new player on the Hill, and others that would be affected by a ban point to big-money interests like horse racing that is not covered under the proposal despite using the Internet for betting facilities. The bill, said Michael Bolcerek, an amateur player who is president of the alliance, is "picking winners and losers."
Rep. Leach says the poker players offered a "fairly persuasive argument." But he added that he still believed that there were no social benefits and few "happy aspects" to Internet gambling. Not only can gambling be addictive, with debts racked up quickly online, Leach said, but from a moral standpoint, gambling also breaks apart families and poses a danger to under-age players.
Some gambling opponents want an even broader bill. The Traditional Values Coalition, a conservative group, wrote in a letter to Congress in the spring that the exemption of horse racing showed that it paid "to pony up." The Center for Responsive Politics calculated that a sizable part of the racing industry has contributed more than $3 million to lawmakers, presidential candidates and state and federal political action committees since 2000. Far more than half the total went to Republicans, the center said.
Kathryn Rexrode, a spokeswoman for Representative Robert W. Goodlatte, the Republican who is a co-sponsor of the merged bills, said the horse racing industry contributed when Mr. Goodlatte was not sponsoring such legislation, but when he was chairman of the Agriculture Committee.
Leach said that "we authorise nothing new for horse racing," because it is regulated under the Interstate Horseracing Act. Even fantasy sports games, he added, would be further restricted under the bill, with bans on betting on individual teams or players.
Leach pointed to the coalition of supporters for the bills, including churches that represent many denominations, like Christian fundamentalists, that tend to have a consensus on little else. "I just think the stars are in alignment, that Congress knows it has to deal with this issue," he said.
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WOODBRIDGE - The township Planning Board recently voted to give a favorable recommendation to an application for an off-track horse racing wagering facility to be built in Fords by the state.
The facility, if built, would be housed in the former A&P off Route 1.
"This is a courtesy hearing," said Board Attorney Marc Rogoff at the start of the meeting. "They are here to answer any questions, and we will let them make a presentation," he said, referring to representatives from the NJSEA [New Jersey Sports and Expo Authority], which owns and operates the Meadowlands Sports Complex in East Rutherford.
The application was exempt from review by the Planning Board because the Township Council did not file an objection to it.
The Township Council passed a resolution expressing interest in the wagering facility at its June 20 meeting.
The purpose of the Planning Board's informational session last week was to give the public the opportunity to make comments and ask questions, Rogoff said after the meeting.
NJSEA representative Dennis Down said that the state has already had extensive discussions about the project with local officials.
"Prior to setting forth with this application, we did have discussions with members of the governing body, Mayor [Frank G.] Pelzman, the police chief and deputy police chief," Down said. "We took them to an off-track wagering facility in northern Philadelphia ... and they seemed quite pleased with it."
Down said they would expect to employ 50 to 80 people at the proposed site on peak-traffic days. He predicted an average attendance of 350 customers per day.
"The product that would be offered would be horse racing, simulcast into the facility from around the world," Down said. "Mostly East Coast racing, supplemented by racing from across the U.S. and abroad."
The NJSEA took into account demographics and other factors in deciding to apply for the off-track horse racing wagering facility in Woodbridge, he said.
"We would go to an area where there is interest and the potential to grow interest without hurting existing operations," Down said. "I did not want to adversely impact Monmouth Park or the Meadowlands, two active racetracks. Also, Woodbridge is a wonderful community in terms of its access, with the turnpike, parkway and Route 1."
Only two other applications for similar off-track wagering facilities are under consideration to be built. They are proposed for the municipalities of Vineland and Toms River, said Peter D. Simone, NJSEA Director of Off-Track Wagering Services.
Planning Board member Pat Trombetta asked if it would be appropriate to allow gambling in the township.
"What I am proposing is permitted in that area by state statute," replied Down. "That isn't the issue. The issue is if we are in a nonresidential zone, and the fact is we are. You are not being asked to change zoning or anything like that, because quite frankly, that is not before this body."
Down said that only those over age 18 would be allowed to enter the establishment unless they were accompanied by a parent or guardian. No one under the age of 21 would be allowed in the facility's separate bar area.
All of the security for the proposed site would be provided by them, Down added.
Menlo Park Terrace resident Linda Seguine was concerned about whether the proposed establishment would make existing traffic issues on Route 1 even worse.
"I am worried about Route 1 traffic more than anything," Seguine said. "My bank is over there, my drug store is over there. With several hundred cars coming out of there, you won't be able to move."
She said that for the residents of Menlo Park Terrace, the back way through Fords is often the preferred route to move around the area, which this proposed establishment may block.
Board member Patricia Osborne said that construction on Route 1 in that area would alleviate some of the traffic issues.
"There will be turning lanes, which will alleviate the backup," Osborne said. "It should alleviate that, but the thing is that we are going to have to live through the construction."
Fords resident Camille Mullally said she was concerned the proposed facility was too close to area schools and the Fords library, a comment that generated applause from the audience.
"As a resident of this community for 49 years, I am appalled by the lack of consideration for the three schools that are presently used by children up and down Ford Avenue, as well as a very important library," Mullally said.
"No one seems to consider the fact that these kids would be out walking at the time that this beautiful casino is in operation," she said. "We could care less about the looks of the building, but we do care about our children."
Township Council members James Carroll and Richard Dalina were also in attendance in the audience, as was Sen. Joseph Vitale.
Dalina said that if the proposed facility were for a grocery store, then none of the residents would have appeared to protest the application.
"The town was actively pursuing to get some kind of grocery store in there, but they want bigger venues these days," he said. "The one in Hopelawn left, and the old A&P left. [NJSEA] is putting $5 million into this building, and they are not looking to attract lowlifes."
Vitale also said he was impressed by a similar wagering facility he saw in Philadelphia.
"It was not offensive, loud, or dirty at all," Vitale said. "Everything was contained inside, so you wouldn't have betting slips flying around outside in the parking lot or in the streets. It was clean, it was presentable, and I think that given the right circumstances, I think that it is an acceptable use for them."
Board member Lorraine Luban was the only member to vote against the recommendation.
"I have to vote my conscience, and I understand that the state will do what it wants, but I just have too many concerns, and I will have to say no," Luban said.
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The HRA was reportedly looking into Khan's betting activity and his alleged contact with jockeys. But Bolton-based Khan - who did not attend the Shaftesbury Avenue hearing - is not afraid of blowing his own trumpet. On his website, www.akracing.net, Khan boasts that: 'Over the last five years or so I have established a close and trusted network of contacts which I believe to be the best in racing.' Khan, who charges clients '850 a year for his information, emphasises: 'How important it is for all clients of AK Racing to use the betting exchanges effectively to secure the best prices.'
Police note schoolboy error
Get reporters, photographers and television crews outside a London police station and it evokes interest. A stream of passers-by stopped to ask who the media were waiting for last Monday and most left quickly when told it was Kieren Fallon, although one asked: 'Is he in a band?'.
But it was not just Fallon feeling the long arm of the law. A schoolboy, who stopped to ask a policeman which celebrity was to appear, was duly asked why he was not at school. Much to the amusement of those watching, he was apprehended and taken into the station for questioning. No charges are believed to have been brought. QUINN'S YORKSHIRE EXPERT
Richard Quinn, who retired from riding last week, is believed to be looking for a property in Yorkshire. Fianc'e and TV presenter Alex Hammond is acquainted with the area, having been secretary to Lynda and Jack Ramsden before marrying Middleham handler Micky Hammond. BIG MAC'S SILKY DELIVERY
Racegoers at Windsor on Monday night and at Brighton the following day were treated to the unedifying sight of John McCririck in company with Edwina Currie. The couple are taking part in a celebrity wife swap series to be televised in the autumn.
Meanwhile, among the lots on offer at a racing sale on 20 July is a set of racing silks designed by Big Mac. The Channel 4 pundit's design features a pink background with a bikini and cap in the black and white stripes of Newcastle United.
The colours will be auctioned for charity at the sale at Chippenham Lodge Stud near Newmarket.
Savill: Enough is enough
Full marks to former British Horseracing Board boss Peter Savill for kicking off his Racing Post column last Wednesday by declaring: 'Enough has been written already about the "new" Ascot.' Unfortunately, it was a false alarm. Savill used the next 480 words or so to expand on his complaints about Royal Ascot. Reserve your copy of Savill's forthcoming autobiography, ghosted by Times racing correspondent Alan Lee.
Alarm bells ring at Kempton
Hearts sank when the fire alarms went off in the main grandstand before the second race at Kempton on Wednesday evening.
Six minutes later and just as the patrons from the restaurant were being persuaded to leave their seats, the sirens stopped and normal service was resumed.
But the sudden arrival of yellow-vested stewards at the end of every corridor on every floor suggested that a slightly less hi-tech alarm system was now in use.
'It's knackered,' one admitted to Tattenham Corner. 'They've given us all megaphones and radios. If there's a fire I suppose we just shout "fire, fire".'
What's in a name?
Snoqualmie Boy, who finished sixth to David Junior in yesterday's Eclipse Stakes at Sandown, was named by owner Jeff Smith after the ski resort near Seattle in Washington State.
Smith explained: 'I go to Seattle a lot on business and the horse is out of Seattle Ribbon. Snoqualmie is the local beauty spot, named after the Native American tribe.' Snoqualmie means 'moon people.'
Horse Racing Betting System
Top UK jockey Kieren Fallon has been charged by City Of London police with conspiracy to defraud.
Fallon, 41, is accused of conspiring to defraud customers of the online betting exchange Betfair.
In total 28 men have been charged in relation to allegations of fixing the outcomes of races between December 1, 2002 and September 2, 2004.
For Fallon it was a rapid change of fortune after winning the Irish Derby at The Curragh on Sunday as Coolmore's number one rider for trainer Aidan O'Brien.
The Racing Post reports that former racing syndicate director Miles Rodgers was also charged with conspiracy to defraud and an offence under the Proceeds of Crime Act.
The City of London Police investigation - codenamed Operation Crypton - has been hanging over the sport for more than two years.
The inquiry has been looking at more than 80 races and more than 130 officers have worked on the case.
The police have raided 19 addresses with the raids following alleged irregular betting on the UK internet exchange Betfair.
Betfair passed records from its tracking of betting patterns to the Jockey Club.
A police statement read: 'Two people have today been charged with offences relating to allegations of fixing the outcome of horse races between December 1, 2002 and September 2, 2004 and money-laundering as part of the City of London police's long-running investigation into horse racing corruption.
'All those charged will appear at City of London Magistrates' Court on Monday, July 17.
'All those on bail, 28 in total, are due to answer bail today.'
The police's long-running investigation is the largest of its type undertaken by the force. The first arrests were made in September 2004.
The Horseracing Regulatory Authority (formerly the Jockey Club) is expected to issue a statement later on Monday.
Fallon now cannot ride in England, but he will be able to continue in Ireland. However, he can appeal to the Horseracing Regulatory Authority to be able to continue to ride in England.
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Bets of up to 3,000 euros on horse races in other countries and other sporting events such as the football World Cup were being accepted
Fines of between 30,050 euros and 300,506 euros could be imposed
An illegal betting network which was operating in seven bars, mostly frequented by foreigners, on the Costa del Sol, has been broken up by the police in the first operation of its kind in Andaluc'a. Officers have confiscated associated equipment and money from four bars in Benalm'dena, two in Fuengirola and one in Torremolinos according to an official statement from the Junta de Andaluc'a.
Police investigations uncovered that bets of up to 3,000 euros were being taken for horse races and other major sporting events, including the football World Cup in Germany. The bars were showing horse racing from other countries and other events, while a 'bookie' was present to take the bets.
Gaming licences
Organising and carrying out sports betting without the appropriate licences is a serious infringement of the Andaluc'a Gaming Law and can be subject to fines of between 30,050 euros and 300,506 euros as well as possible closure of the establishment in question.
The first stage of the operation began at the end of May when it was determined which bars were accepting the bets; how it was being done; the people involved and at what times bets could be made.
Once the information had been obtained, police officers from Seville, Ja'n, Granada, Cadiz and Malaga, started out with the second stage which involved police reports; disbanding of those involved and the seizing of various amounts of money.
Throughout the operation, a total of 8,967 euros was confiscated as well as 100 pounds sterling, 59 television monitors and flat screen televisions, two personal computers, 15 satellite television decoders, two projection screens, a projector, more than 10,000 betting slips and advertising material and leaflets.
Horse Racing Betting System
TOP jockey Kieren Fallon was today (Monday, 03 July) charged with conspiracy to defraud as part of an investigation into alleged horse racing corruption.
Fallon was charged when he answered bail at Bishopsgate police station in London in connection with a City of London Police inquiry.
Six-time champion jockey Fallon, based at Cowlinge, near Newmarket, is one of 28 people due to answer bail today (Monday, 03 July) for suspected involvement in race fixing.
Fallon arrived at the police station at 9.15am, wearing jeans and a dark top, and slipped inside the front entrance without speaking to waiting reporters.
He left the station 20 minutes later and was driven away in a silver Mercedes.
Fallon, 41, made no comment as he rushed out of the building. He will appear before magistrates on Monday, July 17.
He had flown in from Ireland after winning the Irish Derby yesterday (Sunday, 02 July).
The 28 leading racing figures, who include an unnamed person from Newmarket, are suspected of conspiracy to defraud.
Former racing syndicate director Miles Rodgers of Silkstone, South Yorks, has been charged with conspiracy to defraud customers of Betfair, the internet exchange, and an offence under the Proceeds of Crime Act.
A police statement read: "Two people have today (Monday, 03 July) been charged with offences relating to allegations of fixing the outcome of horse races between December 1, 2002 and September 2, 2004 and moneylaundering as part of the City of London police's long-running investigation into horse racing corruption. All those charged will appear at City of London Magistrates' Court on Monday, July 17.
All those on bail, 28 in total, are due to answer bail today (Monday, 03 July)."
Fallon was arrested near his home in September 2004 when the investigations first became public.
He has protested his innocence, describing the allegations as a "complete joke".
But despite the cloud hanging over racing for almost two years, Mark Tompkins, Newmarket Trainers Federation chairman, said the investigation was not having a negative effect on Newmarket.
He said: "It has been going on for years. Everybody just gets on with their everyday business.
"There has been no negative effect, this will not affect us at all.
The investigation - codenamed Operation Krypton - was launched in January 2004 and is estimated to have cost more than '1.5 million.
The police swoops followed irregular betting on Betfair - it passed records from its sophisticated tracking of betting patterns to the Jockey Club who in turn called in the City of London Police, which has the country's largest financial fraud investigation team.
' Jockeys Fergal Lynch and Darren Williams have also been charged with conspiracy to defraud. Also charged was Joanne Richardson, of Thurgoland, South Yorkshire - believed to be a partner of Rodgers
* who is accused of an offence under the Proceeds of Crime Act.
KIEREN Fallon has been champion jockey six times and has ridden three Derby winners, but his career has been dogged by controversy.
In 1994, he was banned for seven days for hitting fellow jockey Chris Rutter with his whip and then later the same year was banned for six months for violent or improper conduct after a clash with another jockey.
Also in 1999 he lost his job as a stable jockey to Henry Cecil following a newspaper report he was having a relationship with the trainer's wife. Fallon denied the accusation and his claim for unfair dismissal was settled out of court.
Last year he admitted in a newspaper article to having a problem with alcohol and undergoing a 30-day programme of treatment.
Four times in his career he has ridden 200 winners in a year - in 1997, 1998, 1999 and 2003, when he also triumphed in the Derby on Kris Kin.
A Jockey Club inquiry was launched in 2004 after allegations published in the News of the Worldfollowing an undercover investigation. The newspaper alleged Fallon told undercover journalists before a race at Lingfield eventual winner Rye would beat his mount Ballinger Ridge.
Fallon was found guilty of not riding out for first place and served a 21-day suspension for the offence.
Fallon, 41, was born in Crusheen in the Republic of Ireland and has three children with former jockey Julie Bowker, although they were reported to have split earlier this year.
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In keeping with our commitment to progress, Galway Race Committee have announced new sponsorship, increased prize money, improved facilities, and exciting plans for further enhancement and development.
We extend a special welcome to William Hill and Tote Ireland as new sponsors for this year's seven day Summer Festival Meeting which takes place from Monday, July 31st to Sunday, August 6th.
William Hill will sponsor the Grade A '200,000 William Hill Galway Plate and all supporting races on Wednesday, August 2nd. while Tote Ireland will sponsor six races on Tuesday, August 1st including the Tote Galway Mile EBF Handicap of '150,000.
To reflect its status, the value of the Guinness Galway Hurdle has been increased to '200,000 this year.
The total prize fund for the Festival will be '1.7m. However, the winner of Monday's '75,000 GPT Amateur Handicap will qualify for a '50,000 bonus should it subsequently go on to win the Guinness Galway Hurdle on Thursday.
The winners of all supporting races will receive a specially commissioned trophy sponsored by Galway Irish Crystal.
Racing starts at 5.10pm on Monday, Tuesday and Friday; at 1.50pm on Wednesday and Thursday; and at 2.15pm on Saturday and Sunday.
Patrons are advised to arrive as early as possible. Gates will be opened approximately two and a half hours before the first race each day.
Bus Eireann will operate a shuttle bus to and from the races departing outside the Skefflington Arms Hotel in Eyre Square. To facilitate the free flow of traffic, there will be a new entrance for buses and taxis this year off the N6.
In these days of constantly rising costs, race-goers will be pleased to hear that Galway Race Committee have succeeded in retaining last year's admission prices: '25 on Wednesday and Thursday, and '20 on all the other days. Reserved seating remains the same price as last year. The Galway Races annual badge, which represents excellent value at '160, entitles holders to attend all 12 fixtures at Galway each year.
There will be four giant screens operating throughout the enclosure.
Monday
The irrepressible Hector ' hEochag'in, star of RTE's 'Only Fools Buy Horses', will return this year to host the Big Bash in the Guinness and Oyster Marquee on the first day of racing on Monday July 31st. Regular patrons will testify that an evening of fun, laughter and general hilarity is guaranteed.
Tote Ireland will sponsor six races on Tuesday, including The Tote Galway Mile EBF Handicap '150,000. The McDonogh group will sponsor the second race 'C The McDonogh Properties Steeplechase.
Wednesday
William Hill will sponsor the William Hill Galway Plate of '200,000 and all supporting races on Wednesday 2nd August
The Best Dressed Lady competition takes place on what is traditionally known as Ladies Day on Thursday August 3rd. This year's competition is again generously sponsored by Anthony Ryan Ltd of Shop Street, Galway.
The winner of the Best Dressed Lady will receive a generous first prize of a '3000 shopping spree at Anthony Ryans along with a specially commissioned trophy. There will also be a runner up prize and a fantastic prize for the Best Hat.
There is no entry required for this competition. Judges will mingle through the crowd and will invite chosen finalists to the judging marquee which is located adjacent to the champagne tent in the race enclosure.
This year's judges are 3 leading officiators from the Irish fashion world. Well known TV Presenter Maura Derrane from TV3's Ireland AM, PJ Gibbons editor of Ireland's number 1 society magazine 'Social & Personal' and renowned Fashion Presenter Pamela Flood from RTE's 'Off The Rails' will determine the lucky winner of this glamorous affair.
Friday
The feature race is the Guinness Handicap of '70,000. Also O'Malley Homes and Development will sponsor the Tony O'Malley Memorial Handicap Steeplechase.
Michael McNamara & Co. Builders Dublin & Galway Handicap '100,000
Mad Hatter Day on Sunday, August 6th is sponsored by the Mercer Group. A day for Alice in millinery funderland. Patrons are urged to cast their sartorial inhibitions aside, give free rein to their imagination and wear the most bizarre, surreal and fantastical headgear they can conjure up.
The fabulous prizes on offer will surely galvanize even the shyest and most demure racegoer - and there are not many of those at Galway!
Luxury weekend in Newly refurbished Shelbourne Hotel, PLUS '1500 cash to spend.
2nd Prize: 'Alices Idol'
Weekend Break in the Mercer Hotel, PLUS '1000 Cash to spend on a Shopping Spree in Dublin's most exclusive shopping district
3rd Prize: 'March Harebrain Hat'
A Weekend Break in the Tara Towers PLUS '500 Cash to spend ona Shopping Spree in nearby boutiques or the Dundrum Shopping Centre.
The Leading Jockey award will be sponsored by Rooney Life and Pensions who has been sponsoring this most sought after prize for over 25 years; and the Leading Trainer Award by Chanelle Veterinary. The prize for the best-turned-out horse in each of the 51 races will be donated by Paddy Power Bookmaker.
Wherever you are during the week, you can enjoy every memorable moment with comprehensive coverage of the Festival on television and radio. RT' will bring you all the action from Monday to Thursday while TG4 will televise all races live on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
At the Races (Sky Channel 418) will screen all 51 races live.
Radio na Gaeltachta will broadcast all races on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.
Festival Radio, provided by Galway Bay FM, will feature live coverage of every race throughout the meeting. Keith Finnegan, CEO of Galway Bay FM, is anticipating another exciting seven day extravaganza: 'We have a first class team broadcasting live at the Summer Festival Meeting every year. This year our service will be better than ever with up-to-the-minute broadcasts and latest news from the track. Our service is also used by thousands of listeners around the world with up to 6,000 people tuning in via the internet every day.' Patrons should tune into Galway Bay FM on 95.8 for regular traffic updates.
Galway is celebrated for its record-breaking, headline-making betting activities year after year. Whether you are a seasoned professional or novice with a lucky pin, you will find adrenaline-pumping punting opportunities in a full programme of hotly contested steeplechases, hurdles and flat races throughout the week.
This year's race card competition sponsored by Tote Ireland is for a fabulous Hyundai car. There will be a free racecard competition each day for a '500 Tote Betting voucher with Tote Ireland. The winner of each days competition will go forward to a special draw on Sunday for the fabulous Hyundai car.
Lucky punters can relish the prospect of guaranteed Tote Jackpots on all seven days of the Festival: Wednesday and Thursday '70,000; Monday, Tuesday and Friday '50,000; Saturday and Sunday '30,000. All jackpot winners throughout the week will be entered in a free draw for a fabulous Santa Fe Hyundai jeep and the lucky winner will be chosen at the September meeting. The winner will need to be present so all finalists should attend.
On-course bookmakers will operate in the main betting ring and the Mayors Garden.
Ladbrokes will operate a second S.P. shop in a marquee located in the Mayors Garden.
Tote Ireland's new Sports Lounge will be located in the Kinvara Bar on the second floor of the Millennium Stand.
Even if your horse loses, you can still be a big winner with the popular Tote Losing Ticket Draws each day for weekends away in various hotels.
Galway Races may be synonymous with success; but this is one winning team that doesn't believe in resting on our laurels.
Galway Racecourse won the Powers Gold Label/Irish Independent Racecourse of the year 2005; Galway Race Committee won the Contribution to the Industry Award at Horse Racing Irelands award; and John Moloney, General Manager, won the Service to Sport Award at the County Galway Sports Stars 2005. Awards such as these recognize our dedication to our supporters and unwavering commitment to the ongoing improvement and development of all aspects of the Galway racing experience.
Thus it is that immediately after the Summer Festival Meeting, Michael McNamara & Co. Builders will move on site on Tuesday, August 8th to demolish the West Stand and construct a New State of the Art Grandstand at a total cost of '22 million. This stand over 4m floors will cater for our loyal patrons who attends the racecourse year on year and we would like to reward them and maintain their support by providing state of the art facilities for them at no extra cost. The ground floor and first floor on the new stand has been reserved specifically for our supporters. These floors without any cost whatsoever to our patrons will supply 700 free seats, bar facilities, snacks area, restaurant area, tote hall and toilet facilities. The upper floors will house panoramic restaurants built to standards that will rival any supporting developments in the world.
Galway Race Committee have announced that the new stand will be called The Killanin Stand as a lasting tribute to the memory of Lord Killanin who was a Member of Galway Race Committee for over 40 years and Chairman for 16 years. He was also Chairman of the I.O.C. during his Chairmanship of Galway Race Committee.
Galway Races newly designed website at www.galwayraces.com will provide up to date information, online booking, entries and results of all races as they become available available.
Horse Racing Betting System
Sports Writer
RIDGWAY -- And the horses are off.
Devil's in Her Eyes sprints out of the gates and is neck-and-neck with a Boy Named Sue while Rocky slips further behind the two with every stride.
All three jockeys snap their whips in crouched stances, but a Boy Names Sue soon takes a commanding lead.
The entire crowd is on its feet and people with money waged wave their betting-tickets in the air like it will make their horse run faster.
A quarter-mile later, it's a Boy Named Sue who crosses the finish line first.
Some people sit back down. But the winners, they get in line to collect their money.
The Ouray County Fairgrounds in Ridgway was the venue for this race and 10 others like it this past weekend. Despite being established 107 years ago as a horse racing facility, the inaugural Independence Race Meet was the first on the fairgrounds' half-mile track in almost 30 years.
"It's bringing something historical back," said Lori Howard, president of the Ouray County Rodeo Association. "Horse racing is a dying deal. They used to be all over and now there's hardly any."
"Everyone seems to be having a good time," said Dick Bjurstrom, committee chairman for the Friends of the (Ouray County) Fairgrounds. "We asked the people of the county what they wanted and (horse racing) is one of the things the people wanted to have."
Ridgway's Independence Race joined the Bush Track Circuit, which has races in Norwood and Gunnison.
The actual horse races were quick and only took place every half-hour, but there was other action on the track.
Before each race, the jockeys strutted their horses around to let the crowd check them out and decide if they wanted to place a bet.
Some people bet a couple of bucks on a horse, but the real action seemed to be in the calcutta betting.
In calcutta betting, people buy options in a horse they believe can win. The options, however, are auctioned off so you have to out-bid other people for them.
Multiple options are sold for each horse and the purse is split between the people who bought the winner. Some options were being sold for over $100, which could fetch a nice prize.
The organizers of the race coordinated it with the town of Ouray so "we're not stepping on each other's toes," Bjurtstrom said.
The plan was to have the races on the weekend so it wouldn't conflict with Ouray's festivities on the Fourth of July.
Since the track hadn't been used in so long, it needed a lot of work on it and the railing before it could host a race.
"It brought the community together working on this," Howard said.
Now that they've taken care of the basic necessities to hold races, the plan is to continue holding them the week of our nation's Independence Day.
"It's a great start to bringing it back. We hope to continue it on for a good long time," Bjurstrom said. "There will be racing next year. We're committed to it, it's fun to do and it's good for the community."
Horse Racing Betting System
Appraising a season of record achievement both on and off the track, Mr Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges, the Club's Executive Director of Racing looked forward to the challenges that Hong Kong horse racing will face in the near future.
While Hong Kong horses scored a record five Group One successes against international opposition in 2005/06, 'some very exciting young horses are waiting in the wings to try and take us to new heights next term,' he said at today's season-end press briefing at Happy Valley.
Mr Engelbrecht-Bresges also focused on the widespread overhaul of the Club's infrastructure - led by the Racecourse Business Results Improvement Team (RBRIT) - where facilities have been entirely revamped and modernised at both tracks, contributing to a first rebound in racecourse attendance in eight years from January through to the end of the season.
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