The Official Off Topic Thread

BumperD · 06-11-2018 12:14AM

https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/racing/jockey-chris-timmons-handed-four-year-ban-over-positive-cocaine-test-1.3687176

And another

ANDREWMUFC · 06-11-2018 12:27AM

Jaysus what is it with jockeys and cocaine lol

irishgoat · 06-11-2018 01:00AM

They're just human like the rest of us. Some of them are still young and earning decent money and don't realize how detrimental it is to their career until it's too late.

Some jockey's are full of themselves and too cocky and some are really down to earth and really decent.

I was talking to a work rider on Saturday night and commended him on telling his trainer when horses are ready to win and he blew it off and told me, look when they're right you can feel it right away like riding a harley davidson

He's very decent.

A bit of charlie is ok if it cant' ruin your career but these guys are told in no uncertain terms. I've no sympathy and that timmons fella, rather than doing coke should have been working more long hours. He deserves the 4 years.

akelly02 · 06-11-2018 10:04AM

ANDREWMUFC wrote: »

Jaysus what is it with jockeys and cocaine lol

keeps the hunger at bay and gives them a high aswell, so id imagine they are thinking its a win , win

Mostly Harmless · 06-11-2018 10:45AM

Given how quickly cocaine passes through the system and the relative frequency of these positive tests, logic would dictate that there are quite a few of them at it. Bit daft hitting the lad with 4 years, Fallon got 18 months, Dettori got 6 months and was also busted with a wrap in his pocket BITD and openly admitted using it in past.

famagusta · 06-11-2018 12:11PM

He's not banned for four years, read the article, he'll be back in June!

Mostly Harmless · 06-11-2018 12:22PM

famagusta wrote: »

He's not banned for four years, read the article, he'll be back in June!

I did read it.

"Jockey Chris Timmons handed four-year ban over positive cocaine test", ban is four years, fact that he can appeal after 12 months does not change this?

idnkph · 06-11-2018 09:48PM

famagusta wrote:

He's not banned for four years, read the article, he'll be back in June!

Please explain how he will be back in June when he can only appeal it then? He would be lucky to get it reduced to 2.

idnkph · 06-11-2018 09:48PM

famagusta wrote:

He's not banned for four years, read the article, he'll be back in June!

Please explain how he will be back in June when he can only appeal it then? He would be lucky to get it reduced to 2.

Seanachai · 07-11-2018 02:03PM

Gavin "shels" · 07-11-2018 04:23PM

Pigsback doing Leopardstown Christmas ticket offer as usual, save €20 on two tickets.

STB. · 12-11-2018 01:46AM

ANDREWMUFC wrote: »

Jaysus what is it with jockeys and cocaine lol

Low in calories.

10 Irish jockeys who have been caught in Ireland over the last 3 years. Its a big problem.

3 have got their licences back this year. There were lads testing positive for MDMA not so long ago.

Mostly Harmless · 12-11-2018 10:02AM

STB. wrote: »

Low in calories.

10 Irish jockeys who have been caught in Ireland over the last 3 years. Its a big problem.

3 have got their licences back this year. There were lads testing positive for MDMA not so long ago.

Ray Dawson who is now riding over in the UK tested positive for MDMA in past (his drink was spiked :rolleyes:)

marvin80 · 13-11-2018 09:59AM

Only a matter of time before we see a racecourse in Ireland close - a few different factors like this are not helping their cause:

https://www.independent.ie/business/irish/ladbrokes-blames-betting-tax-hike-for-plan-to-shut-oncourse-bookies-37520712.html

kiers47 · 13-11-2018 10:27AM

Someone more in the know than me may know the answer to this. But are on course shops not considered part of the on-course bookmaking activity and so tax exempt?

Gavin "shels" · 13-11-2018 12:00PM

marvin80 wrote: »

Only a matter of time before we see a racecourse in Ireland close - a few different factors like this are not helping their cause:

https://www.independent.ie/business/irish/ladbrokes-blames-betting-tax-hike-for-plan-to-shut-oncourse-bookies-37520712.html

You'd imagine attendances would be a huge factor? At the Champions Day in Leopardstown back in Setpember there was few Paddy Power tickets, few Spin 103.8 Student tickets and someone else doing freebies and it was by no means packed.

13-11-2018 02:04PM

Im not sure about the betting tax increase and whether that has a factor in the closure of race courses.

To me Id say it's the bodies coming through the gates. As Gavin Shels alluded to above the bodies coming into the Champions day meeting despite freebies was low.

One thing that strikes me is the lowly amount of youngsters (the future) that come in. At a raceday in Wexford recently it was a poor turnout but what struck me was the lack of youngsters about. They will be the future of the sport and if they are not encouraged to go racing and become involved in the sport Im afraid the numbers will keep dwindling.

I dont mean to get them involved in gambling activities but to get them in and give them a memorable day out, a day that would encourage them to return in future. Swings and slides and that carry on they can have anywhere. Maybe an enclosure for coming close to horses and jockeys, grooming, feeding etc as well as jockeys giving talks/presentations (child friendly type).

If we cant get youngsters in at that age it may prove more difficult as they get older.

marvin80 · 13-11-2018 02:38PM

You're correct TheTormet - I don't see many young people at some of the meetings I've gone to the past few years. The festivals down the country like Listowel have seen a drop-off in attendances as well I'd say.

Again HRI need to step-up and solve these issues.

From the article - Ladbrokes might be exaggerating but if true, for the likes of Clonmel it would be a blow not to have a bookmaker on site and a loss of valuable revenue form renting the shop and the sponsorship of races.

"the costs of operating the on-course betting shops as a result of the increase will make them unviable. She claimed it's unlikely that any other operator will take them over once Ladbrokes' contracts expire, unless they want to operate them on a loss-making basis.

"I would be surprised if anyone else goes into them," she said. "No one would be doing it to make money."

Ladbrokes operates betting shops at eight racecourses: Galway, Limerick, Killarney, Punchestown, Listowel, Navan, Gowran Park and Clonmel. Ms Murphy said that existing contracts on some of those on-course betting shops expire later this year or early next year, while Punchestown runs until 2020. She said that Ladbrokes pays either a fixed rent or profit share to operate the outlets. The contracts are held with the individual racecourses.

She acknowledged that smaller racecourses may come under pressure as a result of the decision to cease race sponsorship at courses where it has betting shops."

kiers47 · 13-11-2018 03:15PM

marvin80 wrote: »

You're correct TheTormet - I don't see many young people at some of the meetings I've gone to the past few years. The festivals down the country like Listowel have seen a drop-off in attendances as well I'd say.

Again HRI need to step-up and solve these issues.

From the article - Ladbrokes might be exaggerating but if true, for the likes of Clonmel it would be a blow not to have a bookmaker on site and a loss of valuable revenue form renting the shop and the sponsorship of races.

"the costs of operating the on-course betting shops as a result of the increase will make them unviable. She claimed it's unlikely that any other operator will take them over once Ladbrokes' contracts expire, unless they want to operate them on a loss-making basis.

"I would be surprised if anyone else goes into them," she said. "No one would be doing it to make money."

Ladbrokes operates betting shops at eight racecourses: Galway, Limerick, Killarney, Punchestown, Listowel, Navan, Gowran Park and Clonmel. Ms Murphy said that existing contracts on some of those on-course betting shops expire later this year or early next year, while Punchestown runs until 2020. She said that Ladbrokes pays either a fixed rent or profit share to operate the outlets. The contracts are held with the individual racecourses.

She acknowledged that smaller racecourses may come under pressure as a result of the decision to cease race sponsorship at courses where it has betting shops."

What she doesnt mention is that on course bets are not taxed currently and i dont believe that will change. What i want to know is are shops on a course different from bookies with a pitch there? Maybe that is the case, but i wasnt aware that it was.

I suspect it is a PR exercise from ladbrokes to try and try and get some pity on the tax rise.

Slipping attendance figures is going to be a problem indeed. I was at my local track Tipperary during the summer with some very nice flat races on there with some nice horses running. There was probably 2 or 3 people to every bookie there and it was a nice summers evening.

BumperD · 13-11-2018 07:15PM

Have said before. Freebees to young adults/ students should not be the target. They have little interest in the racing and with the amount of alcohol/other substances on board, won’t remember much.

Attracting families in, with children , is where the seed is sown and certainly where I got interested in racing for all the right reasons. A family atmosphere would be much more sustainable than the current model. Look at Galway Plate day, abandoned after it was taken over during the boom by hoardes of drunken cheap suits /skirts. Moving it back a few hours made zilch difference weather aside. It’s a rot that will continue.

Ladbrokes? Publicity stunt maybe but the model is broken with most moving online anyway . It’s an online business so has little future on course sadly

Fanny Wank · 25-11-2018 08:51PM

Thought it worth posting this thread here:

https://twitter.com/TheNorthernGam1/status/1066462081141092354?s=19

29-11-2018 10:03PM

Just got an email from Betfair to say BOG is now only available from 8am on the day of the race.

I sometimes place a bet the evening before if I know Im caught up the following day. BOG was a nice concession. Ill be not using them now if betting the night before, I just hope others dont follow suit.

Mostly Harmless · 29-11-2018 10:06PM

TheTorment wrote: »

Just got an email from Betfair to say BOG is now only available from 8am on the day of the race.

I sometimes place a bet the evening before if I know Im caught up the following day. BOG was a nice concession. Ill be not using them now if betting the night before, I just hope others dont follow suit.

This has been case with Ladbrokes too for a while I think

kiers47 · 30-11-2018 11:14AM

In fairness BOG is a ridiculously good concession as it is. 8am is still a fair compromise.

I assume PP will go the same way on this?

mailburner · 30-11-2018 11:30AM

Mostly Harmless wrote: »

This has been case with Ladbrokes too for a while I think

and betfred

am sure there's a few more

Fanny Wank · 30-11-2018 08:19PM

Not racing related but thought punters would appreciate it. Sheer madness

https://www.pocketfives.com/articles/rory-young-reveals-details-of-100k-pitch-black-bathroom-prop-bet-621525/

akelly02 · 01-12-2018 12:48PM

Fanny **** wrote: »

Not racing related but thought punters would appreciate it. Sheer madness

https://www.pocketfives.com/articles/rory-young-reveals-details-of-100k-pitch-black-bathroom-prop-bet-621525/

Wow. He will never come out right

STB. · 01-12-2018 11:03PM

kiers47 wrote: »

What she doesnt mention is that on course bets are not taxed currently and i dont believe that will change. What i want to know is are shops on a course different from bookies with a pitch there? Maybe that is the case, but i wasnt aware that it was.

I suspect it is a PR exercise from ladbrokes to try and try and get some pity on the tax rise.

Slipping attendance figures is going to be a problem indeed. I was at my local track Tipperary during the summer with some very nice flat races on there with some nice horses running. There was probably 2 or 3 people to every bookie there and it was a nice summers evening.

On course bookies pay 0.25% tax. I think the tote may be exempt ?

On course shops I believe are different and are regarded as a retail shop. The contracts with each course differ in terms of straightforward rent OR profit share. There are various conditions attached to these franchise shops on course including that singles for on course races cannot be taken.

kiers47 · 02-12-2018 01:14PM

STB. wrote: »

On course bookies pay 0.25% tax. I think the tote may be exempt ?

On course shops I believe are different and are regarded as a retail shop. The contracts with each course differ in terms of straightforward rent OR profit share. There are various conditions attached to these franchise shops on course including that singles for on course races cannot be taken.

According to the revenue on course bets OR tote bets are tax exempt.

https://www.revenue.ie/en/companies-and-charities/excise-and-licences/excise-duty-rates/betting-duty.aspx

STB. · 02-12-2018 01:26PM

kiers47 wrote: »

According to the revenue on course bets OR tote bets are tax exempt.

https://www.revenue.ie/en/companies-and-charities/excise-and-licences/excise-duty-rates/betting-duty.aspx

Yeah its a levy rather than a tax. The Bookmaker Licence is issued by Revenue, the on course betting permit by HRI.

The HRI collects 0.25% of bookmaker turnover. It used to be 0.5%.

https://www.finance.gov.ie/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/180328-Gambling-Sector-Risk-Assessment-March-2018.pdf

The Official Off Topic Thread

Comments