Prominent owners warn that ‘Big Brother’ will destroy UK racing
DIGGING INTO PERSONAL FINANCES: Big Brother is stalking UK punters.
Chris Wright has become the latest prominent figure to express his frustration with affordability checks for punters in the United Kingdom, saying it is “ridiculous” that he is being asked for personal financial details to bet, but can spend hundreds of thousands of pounds on stallion coverings for his broodmares.
Wright, the co-founder of Chrysalis Records and the former majority owner of Queens Park Rangers and Wasps rugby club, said he had been hit with a demand for sensitive financial information by a bookmaker “out of the blue” at the weekend.
He said: “I don’t know what prompted it and I thought, ‘Oh my God, what am I going to do?’ I don’t want to divulge any of the information they are asking for. My affairs are quite complicated and they are for me, not for anyone else. So if I have to stop betting then I’ll have to stop betting and that’ll be it.
“I’m not a massive punter by any means and sometimes I’ll bet more and sometimes I’ll bet less. I do it for fun and if I can’t bet then it’ll be less fun, but I won’t be stopping having horses or anything. I wouldn’t even know if I’m up or down after all the years I’ve been betting as, for me, it’s something fun to do.”
In an earlier tweet, Wright had highlighted the request from a bookmaker to present “all my personal financial details so I can continue to have a £50 each way bet” while being able to spend much more on horses.
Bookmakers have been imposing intrusive affordability checks on punters under pressure from the Gambling Commission, which is running a consultation on proposals for the government’s gambling review.
Wright drew the comparison between his spend on his horses and his betting and the levels of checks he had to face for each. He said: “My mare Wonderful Tonight has a foal by Frankel and is in foal to Frankel, touch wood. We have another mare in foal to Lope De Vega and other valuable mares on the stud.
“I just think it’s ridiculous that I have to provide all this information to have a £50 each-way bet, but I can go to the sales and spend half a million on a mare, spend another £325,000 covering the mare and that’s fine.”
Wright’s concerns were echoed by Barry Hearn, an owner-breeder alongside his wife Sue of Gold Cup winner Subjectivist, who warned the over-zealous implementation of affordability checks would have a shattering impact on racing.
At the helm of Matchroom Sport, Hearn has led to a revolution in darts, boxing and snooker but he expressed concern for the future of Britain’s third most-watched sport in 2022, racing, if the proposals, currently the focus of a Gambling Commission consultation which closes on October 18, come into force.
He said: “The impact on racing is going to be massive. The industry isn’t completely reliant on betting but it’s a major part of the activities and finances. I don’t think there’s enough money going into racing from betting at the moment but this whole thing could be very damaging – if revenue is down it has a chain reaction and racing will be hit. The blanket ban simply doesn’t work, betting is there to be enjoyed and this will kill it.
“If I’m asked for a check, I won’t be passing on my information. I’m simply not prepared to be questioned about my finances, it’s private and should stay private. The principal is directly against, I believe, the rule of law. My privacy is more important to me than the ability to gamble and I expect there are a lot of people out there who feel the same. The whole thing smacks of Big Brother.” – Racing Post.
De Kock, Nestadt’s Frankel arrives in Australia
South Africans Mike de Kock and Larry Nestadt purchased a son of Frankel from trainer Dermot Weld in Ireland. Nation’s Call (Frankel x Magic Light) was exported to Australia and he has arrived safely into quarantine.
Nation’s Call has had seven starts for a win and four places and will be syndicated for racing with Mathew de Kock and Robbie Griffiths at Cranbourne.
Rated 92 (UK), a very generous 68 in Australia, means the world really is his oyster and Mike de Kock commented: “He is a proper horse with a proven record and he’s only a baby at this stage. He is by the best sire in the world and he is rated at a level to go through his grades right to the top.”
De Kock said that Nation’s Call was acquired on the advice of former jockey Ted Durcan, who rode a few times for him in Dubai some years ago and has since retired to become a bloodstock agent. “Back then I asked Ted to look for a suitable horse for us, for Australian racing and I think he’s found us the right one. Our aim is to provide extra quality to the Griffiths/De Kock stable and to compete in the best possible races.”
The big targets are the same for everyone but with this colt being an elite miler who has form between 1400m and 2000m, has him in the sweet spot for Australia.
Nation’s Call is a young horse and very lightly raced with-it all-in front of him and form lines and pedigree to point him in the right direction. He has a turn of foot which should suit Australian tracks far more than the English and Irish tracks.
A statement from Griffiths/De Kock read: “We all dream of Cox Plates and of course big money pop up races such as the Golden Eagle, this guy is no different but the kicker in this case is the opportunity to bring in large amounts of prizemoney as City, Listed and Group level in these distances regularly even if we happen to miss those major targets. Country Cups such as the Cranbourne Cup and Ballarat Cup are now worth half a million dollars themselves. It is exciting to find out where this guy gets to but the Cox Plate would be the ultimate dream.”
Shares are being made available in 5% blocks.
Brilliant Westover injured, retired after ‘Arc’
THE END OF A GREAT RACING CAREER: Westover will be retired to stud. (Getty).
Top-class colt Westover has been retired after suffering a career-ending injury when finishing second in the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe on Sunday.
A luckless third behind Desert Crown in last year’s Derby at Epsom, Ralph Beckett’s charge went on to gain compensation with a brilliant victory in the Irish Derby and has continued to run with distinction at the highest level as a four-year-old.
He chased home Japanese superstar Equinox in the Dubai Sheema Classic in March, filled the runner-up spot in the Coronation Cup in June and claimed his second Group One win in the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud before being narrowly beaten by Hukum in a thrilling renewal of the King George at Ascot in July.
Having found only the brilliant Ace Impact too strong in Paris last weekend, owner-breeders Juddmonte had been targeting major prizes on foreign soil before the end of 2023 – but they have now had to prematurely call time on the son of Frankel’s racing career.
“It’s devastating news, unfortunately he suffered a career-ending injury on Sunday and he’ll have to be retired,” said Juddmonte’s racing manager Barry Mahon.
“Long-term he’ll be fine and he’ll be OK for a stallion career, but we had such good days with him this year and last year, we had an exciting end to the season planned and we were all very excited about it. Unfortunately it’s come to an end.
Mahon is confident Westover will go on to enjoy a successful second career at stud, adding: “I’d say he’ll be a top-class stallion. He’s one of Frankel’s best sons and as we saw with Ace Impact (by Frankel’s son Cracksman), Frankel’s sons are off to a flying start. – Sky Sports.
Kuda comes to Nadeson Park’s aid
NO MYSTERIOUS WAYS: Kuda’s got Nadeson Park covered.
Through difficult times it is said that every cloud has a silver lining.
While it might not seem to be the case for a large number of people right now, given the extent of damage suffered personally and to property and possessions in the recent Cape flooding, the expression rings true, figuratively and literally.
The Nadeson Park Stud, the pride and joy of leading businessman, owner and breeder Hassen Adams, was one of the worst affected as torrential rain and wind swept through Hermanus and the breath-taking Hemel ’n Aarde valley on Heritage Day weekend.
The 71-year-old Adams, who became the first owner of colour to win the Grade One Cape Met, with Past Master in 2011, said in an emotional interview that all might be lost, and it might be time for him to move on.
He reassured that loss of life was avoided, and also that his 150 horses on the farm had been spared.
In assessing the damages from the storms, the CEO of leading insurers Kuda, Wӗhann Smith, offered his sympathies to all affected.
“We have heard and seen so many harrowing stories of how people have been affected by the floods. While most people were merely inconvenienced, our hearts really go out to those that have suffered losses, in some cases devastating in nature,” he said.
“Many of those worst affected have nothing to fall back on and rely on their communities and government to help in their time of need. It has been heart-warming to see how communities and local government have come to the aid of so many.”
Smith said that early estimates put the cost of the damage as a result of the storm at about R1.4-billion. “That is according to the provincial Department of Agriculture. We think that the number will end up being well north of that, and this seems to be likely to end up as our biggest combined insurance event since starting our business in 2009.”
The importance of insurance was laid bare by the countless tales of those who suffered in the storms. The devastating floods are a reminder that when it comes to equine and racing insurance, there are many strands, and it’s not only about the horse.
“At Kuda we have been directly involved as we have a large number of personal and commercial insurance clients who suffered losses in the storms,” Smith said.
“Thankfully, we have had no reports of any horse losses or even injuries, but a number of stud farms have suffered significant losses to infrastructure, most notably probably Hassen Adams’ Nadeson Stud which was worst affected. It is at times like these that you appreciate an insurance broker’s ability to understand your business, and our domain knowledge when it comes to stud farms sets us apart, I believe.”
Smith also put to bed the notion that there would be those who suffered significant losses despite being properly insured, would be affected owing to it being an “Act of God”.
“So many people have asked me if floods like these are covered by insurance policies, or whether this would be excluded as an “Act of God”. It is a common misnomer that events like these aren’t covered. I can’t tell you where this originates from, but glad to confirm that it is in fact exactly at times like this that insurance is so important in protecting your assets and allowing you to recover from such unfortunate and unanticipated events,” Smith said.
Smith admitted that insurance was getting more expensive, but stressed that the storms and flooding, and resultant damage and loss, was why coverage is so necessary.
“Unfortunately, times like these remind us of the importance of insurance in protecting our assets and investments, whether personal or business. We are an optimistic species by nature, and don’t ever think it will happen to us. Working in the insurance industry certainly shows you that bad things can happen, and often do.” – Sporting Post.
Richard Fourie warns about TikTok scammer
IT’S NOT ME! Richard Fourie is the target of a Tiktok scammer.
Top jock Richard Fourie has released a statement about an individual using his persona to elicit cash from unwitting followers.
Fourie writes:
Dear Racing Public.
It has come to my notice that there is a fake TikTok account in my name. Once you have signed up you will be contacted directly by somebody claiming to be me and asked if you want tips. At a cost of course.
The account is registered as @richardfouriesa. It pretends to be merely an account in which I talk about my latest wins, and what I am up to in general.
It goes without saying that this account has NOTHING to do with me and should be steered well clear of.
I am aware of the banking details and supposed identity of this imposter and criminal charges have already been laid with the SA Police.
I would strongly advise anyone who has fallen victim to this scam to do the same.
The NHRA have also been made aware of the situation.
Yours Sincerely
Richard Fourie
Frankel Colt Sells For 2,000,000 Guineas
A FRANKEL colt became the highest priced yearling in Europe in 2023 when selling for 2,000,000 guineas on the second day of Book 1 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale. He was one of four seven figure lots for the session which also saw 15 lots sell for 500,000 guineas or more.
Hascombe’s Frankel Colt Sells for 2,000,000 Guineas
The top price on the second day of Book 1, and the highest achieved by any yearling in Europe in 2023, was the FRANKEL colt out of the LEMON DROP KID mare BIZZARRIA who realised 2,000,000 guineas. Consigned by Anthony Oppenheimer’s Hascombe & Valiant Stud, the colt was knocked down to MV Magnier & White Birch Farm after he saw off opposition from the Godolphin team and Juddmonte.
“He is a lovely horse and from a very successful stud in Hascombe, which has bred very good horses in the past and are very good breeders,” said Magnier. “This is a well bred horse, Frankel is flying and everyone liked him – he goes to Ballydoyle.”
The sale was vindication of the stud’s decision to sell its draft of yearling colts this autumn and Oppenheimer, who sat in the ring to watch his colt sell, commented: “So far we have done quite well and sold four, and we have more to sell. There were no regrets at all when he was going around the ring, I did not think we’d get as much as that but I know he is a very nice horse. It refuels the stud’s finances and it can’t do any harm!”
BIZZARIA is a half-sister to the three-time Group 1 and Classic winning filly STAR CATCHER, and an own-sister to the Grade 1 Canadian International Stakes winner CANNOCK CHASE and the Group 2 Prix Eugène Adam winner PISCO SOUR.
-More on Tattersalls website.
SAJA candidates visit Roberts stable
GUIDED TOUR: Nobody better to host than champion apprentice Rachel Venniker.
SA Jockey Academy candidates were treated to a tour of trainer Michael Roberts’ Barrington Stables this morning by Academy Head Girl Rachel Venniker, where they were lucky enough to watch Michael Clark Equine Dentistry and Birgit Schroder in action while treating these amazing animals.
Today’s Question
Which is the world’s oldest racecourse?
Today’s Question Answer
CHESTER RACECOURSE, UNITED KINGDOM
Chester Racecourse, also known as the Roodee, is a racecourse located in Chester, England. The horse racing venue is officially recognised by Guinness World Records as the “oldest racecourse still in operation”. Horse racing in Chester dates back to the early sixteenth century, with 1539 cited as the year racing began, although some sources give a date of 1512 for the first races in Chester. It is also thought to be the smallest racecourse of significance in England at 1 mile and 1 furlong (1.8 km) long.
