commentary for budding Jim McGraths or Simon Holts. All of this was good to see. The decision to employ the


would not seem overly ambitious. Qipco British Champions


never knowingly understated Matt Chapman as MC was a bold call, and yet, in my opinion, it worked extremely well. As Alastair Down commented in the Racing Post, “Chapman makes Derek Thompson sound like Richard Dimbleby, and I thought he added to the fun of the fair.” There were some observers, however, who thought Chapman should have been done for excessive use of the lip.


Others questioned whether the closing apprentice race – designed to give the media access to the jockeys who had ridden in the Group races – really served its purpose, given the tight deadlines to which the journalists had to work. A crowd of over 26,000 is easily within Ascot’s capabilities. They get more for the Shergar Cup – where Chapman would surely be in his element – but that day is fuelled by a post-racing concert by stars of the 1980s. A target of 30,000 for 2012


Day had a great inauguration. Next year’s takes place on October 20, but there are many people pressing for a September date in 2013. I’m not so sure about that. This year’s slotted in neatly between Arc weekend and the Breeders’ Cup. Does it really need moving? Newmarket’s Champions


Day was always in mid- October and nobody complained about that being too late. And isn’t September a touch early to be holding an end of season championship? On the betting front,


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William Hill’s Kate Miller reported more than £1 million staked on Frankel alone, while David Williams of Ladbrokes spoke of Frankel being “a hammer blow to us in the short term,” on a day when turnover was forecast to yield anywhere between £20 million and £40 million. Williams added: “Cirrus Des Aigles defeat of So You Think gave us some welcome respite but by then the damage had been done and punters left Ascot happy.”■


THE IRISH GOVERNMENT is to be presented with a draft of legislation in the spring of 2012 intended to modernise the betting and gaming industry. Existing gambling laws date


Irish Government to look at gambling law reform


from 1931 for betting, and from 1956 for gaming. With the introduction of online gambling and hand-held technology, in the last ten years the gambling landscape has changed out of all recognition. The new legislation could


lead to the introduction of a limited number of midsized casinos, as it is generally felt that large resort casinos have too many negatives attached. The proposed legislation


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swift transactions in betting shops. Right now, people are sitting in betting shops betting through their iPads and other devices.” She added that shop closings


are still a major concern. As of October, there were a total of 1,121 shops, down from 1,265 just eighteen months ago. On the positive side, Dundalk


held its fi rst meeting of its newly extended season, and Sharon reported that word from shops was that turnover was “fantastic”. She is hopeful that the new


would maintain the status quo by prohibiting FOBTs, but would address the issue of taxation of online gaming. Irish Bookmakers Association


chairwoman Sharon Byrne said she would welcome regulation of online betting activity, adding: “There is a need for


visit www.bosmag.co.uk


legislation would include a provision to allow betting shops to stay open during evenings all year round. The current legislation requires shops to close early in winter when there is no Irish racing, forcing punters to bet online with companies that might currently fall outside the government’s jurisdiction.■


BOS Magazine November/December 2011 19


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