Only Fools and Horses.
A scandal that will strengthen the publics resolve, to place there gambling pound, on Strictly Come Dancing, or X Factor in future, than in some selling plate in the Sport of Queens. This took place yesterday when two young jockeys were warned off for 12 years. proving without doubt what we have known for 65t years.
Only fools, would carry on doing something that every one knows, they cannot get away with, any more, perhaps in the 1800/1900/ and 20th Century, they would, it was almost impossible to prove, that a conspiracy in the riding of a racehorse had taken place, in fact during those years the many cases of skulduggery, occurred only because, the technology, to control villainous jockeys from cheating, was not available, to the authorities,
But then again it may not of helped to much for the first 4 Dictators of the Jockey Club, Tregonwell Frampton, Sir Charles Banbury, Lord George Bentinck, and Admiral Rous, were all cheats. the base line for what my father informed me when I took up as a professional tick tack. That every body was at it. Bar the postman.
I came to the conclusion, that as he was born in the first decade of the 20th century, when scallywags were backing horses, after the results were known through the Post Offices, spread all over the country. He had every reason to be skeptical.
Most British Gamblers believe that racing is corrupt but it was in the 30s, when there was evidence that the results of races without a photo print was only conjecture and the going rate for a favourite that had won a neck, to be placed second was £100. For mid week races, a fortune at the time, but the fact that one man, became a household name and multimillionaire out of his close friendship with many of the major racecourse judges. Always gave me food for thought.
Before official prints, photo finishes, we would just shake our heads in amazement, and throw our betting ticket away, for there was nothing you could do, how racing became so popular during this period is amazing and only shows that the reason was there was nothing else to bet on, Horses and Greyhounds. Equally corrupt,
The American Invasion, (Doping) in 1900 held the industry to ransom. They had to be sent packing back to the states, just because the Jockey Club knew they were villains, even though they couldn’t prove it.
But things stick in your memory and although now that I am a Racing Historian, of a sort, after many such tales it is no wonder that mid week, there are only a half dozen computer pluckers.in the betting rings, and even when I attend the High Street shops, I am amazed to watch the English gamblers, placing there bets on reality racing, but why should I be amazed for I have never seen a horse run out, having taken the wrong course, at one of these make believe meetings.
Every year something happens, that weakens, the public interest, in this great sport, even the British Totelizator that was seen by many as the savoir of the Sport, when it was first created in 1927. it was a licence to print fortunes, when a team of price watchers, working for the Tote, would make notes in the rings, watching and comparing the Starting Prices, so that the Tote return could be comparable, when a short priced favorite won, the Tote price would be slightly less, but when a big price winner won the race sometimes not even been backed. they would pool the extra profit pocketing the difference, as a fighting fund, but that was never proven until the 1970s. Carlisle Cock Up. When the Tote management, were found to be placing bets after the result was known. This realization, didn’t help there cause. Or Lord Astor, in his attempt for a British Tote Monopoly.
However when the 21st century arrived and with it, Computerized Internet Betting the Exchange System, Dominated by Belfair, created a service so transparent, that although a punter could Back to win or back to lose, It was inevitable that all betting transactions would be visual to The BHA, of right.
Bookmakers have until then always kept, there business to themselves, like a doctor, unless of course like Gay Future they were on the wrong end of a beating. and made good use with Lord Wigg, using the British Secret Service to break the coup. blaming it on the IRA.
I feel it was the Warwick Match, where Graham Bradley was accused over an incident in which 4-7 favourite Man Mood pulled up in a two-horse race at Warwick in November 1996. that threw the doors wide open, when The William Hill Management, refused to inform of any bets they had taken, on the race, even though there concourse hedgers. Were running round like scalded cats, backing against Man Mood winning. , it was no surprise when the favourite pulled up. But without transparency, the Police who were called in but did nothing.
In 2004/5 With every one squealing that it was Belfair that had corrupted the sport, it was this firm that had actually opened up there books, and the business of all there customers, before the races took place, betting coups and skulduggery would in a short time be a thing of the past, unless of course you wish to lose your living. And your business.
Other than very stupid fools, like these two, Jockeys, should know by now that the BHA (Son of the Jockey Club) know every bet that is laid through the Exchange system, and act accordingly. It may happen again, when a jockey forgets to weigh in, only to find that many £thousands have been won, in the Belfair in running markets, but being able to spend the loot is a different matter. these Jockeys may well be the last of serious chicanery, but of course, cheating in general will just go on, in its merry way, but not so greedy.
Question, is the villainy any worse now than before, certainly not I would say there is a massive improvement, in the honesty of horse racing but tell that to the Indians, for none of the old racing fans will ever believe me.
A 12 year ban for young jockeys is a cost, that could never have been worth while, and anyone who goes down the same rout again, will be a bigger fool, than these two. nuptials.
For those who will not believe my opinion as to the amount of cheating during the relevant periods, I will end with a story from the past, as it was the organizer of the conspiracy himself, who wrote the evidence, in his memoirs, “Sixty Years on the Turf, a Bookmaker of great repute,” George Hodge man” was involved and didn’t appear to worry about telling everyone.
It took place at the now defunct course, called Shrewsbury, between Wolverhampton and Chester, It was the end of the 1862 season in fact when the majority of gamblers reached the last race at Doncaster St Leger meeting, and they were all skint.
As they arrived in the George Hotel three of the National Hunt greats, walked to the bar were, Mr George Angel. And friend of the Jockey Club, A very well respected person, in the game, was seated.
It was George Evade real name Edwards, who started the conversation. A rider of The Lamb one of only two Grey’s to have won the National. Of which this horse won it twice.
“We are in a right state we will be having a right bad Christmas, unless we can get some help.”
In the company with Edwards, was Captain Little. and Captain Tinley all the three were Grand National Hero so, all though Tinley only finished second, whilst crying out to Thomas the winning jockey, “I will give you a grand, If you stop riding”, the other thing they had in common was they were all Cheltenham Boys, (Known for there trickery in betting maters,) all friends of Tom Oliver (3) and George Stevens, (6)
Angel said “leave it to me I will have a word with George Hodge man, the leading Bookmaker not many notches behind, leviathan Davies. Was George.
“George I have been approached by three Cheltenham, swells, they need some help and want to know if we can organise a small handicap. For gentlemen riders, they are all dead broke, and require a hand.”
The main steward John Frail was approached and between them they created a 4 Runner event. To be run on Friday.
The Welter Handicap. of 5 so, with £20 added, for three year olds and upwards, Gentlemen riders jockeys an extra 5 lb, The winner to be sold for 50 sobs,
The race at half a mile.
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It was Frails young son who placed the notice in the window, and as it were 4, o’clock, at the time there was very little chance of any other runners, being declared…
The runners would be Sheerness, Astarte, Zara and Baron,
as the boy was about to take the list down, Hodge man walked away satisfied that the race was organised as required.
A few seconds later a very well known owner, Mr Justice who raced as Mr Priestly, walked past and noticed the sheet, and thought it was an ideal event for his horse Tom Sayers a right rouge. One who had failed miserably?
The young lad was in a predicament and allowed Priestly to enter his runner.
When John Frail Senior came to his office he was very angry,
“Who put this in?”
I did father it was Mr Priestly who stated he had no notion of the race closing and I though it would be all right.
In a pickle Frail ran over to the Hotel. were he met Hodge man again.
George we are in a right mess, Priestly has entered his Tom Sayers.
Whets to be done?
“The horse is a wretched bad one let it in,
Hodgeman was a very shrewd Bookie and knew all the Bookmakers there as well as the Gamblers, and there strengths, he realized that this race would smell as soon as it was known so whatever horse they planned to win with the market would collapse. being lucky if they could win a grand. before it happened.
But Tom Sayers was known by all the Betting Ring as a brute, so why not let him win…the race. he had let Priest man down many times.
On the morning of event Friday, Hodgeman noticed that Mr Priestly was scouting for a rider, and asked the Bookie who he thought would be likely.
In a second the Bookmakers brain was in overdrive.
“Fordham will be the right person, for the job, Priestly, he is bang in form, and is looking for winners”
It was decided that Fordham the Champion jockey almost the equal of Fred Archer, would ride and he accepted.
Carrying a 5 lb extra as a jockey against amateurs.
The card was produced with the race as.
THE WELTER HANDICAP
Tom Sayers, 3 year old. Ridden by G Fordham
Baron aged Palmer.
Zara 4 year old. (Mr Tinley)
Sheerness 3 year old Perry
Astarte 4 year old Mr Edwards.
As the betting commenced, Hodgeman called over Mr Paine a well known agent,
“I want you to get a £1000 on in the next race.
You must be kidding every one in the betting rings, can smell that race.
Yes but what if it is Tom Sayers.that we back. they would all like a bit of Tom for sure.
There was muted laughter, It was agreed that he would take half of the ring with his monkey (£500) and Ten Brock the other half, £500.
As the betting commenced, Tom Sayers owner Mr Priestly who loved a winner, heard the cry of 2/1 the field,
As he reached the paddock he called out to his bookmaker “Whets favourite”
“Yours is,”
“Mine you must be mad.”
He has no chance I will bet 4 ponies (£100 to £25) against him winning. said the Owner.
You have done that Priestly. he had laid his own horse knowing how bad it was. to lose £100.
Within a few minutes the same horse was Evens, with his owner scratching his head. in amazement.
At the post, Mr Edwards. told all the conspirators that Fordham was going to win.
As the flag was dropped,
Tom Sayers dug his heals in being left 50 yards, the other horses off and running with a great deal of strength they were all pulled up and returned back to the start.
With the four riders explaining to the starter, that they felt a little unfair, for Fordham, a 200 a year winning rider.
The second start was fine and at a very slow pace they made there way into the straight.
Fordham was on the rails which he liked best, but still being held up.
It was then that one of the jockeys called out to Fordham “Go on George the race is yours”.
He needed no more telling, and with a crack of the whip and his spurs to good affect his mount was clear.
It was Mr Tinley, who thought that it best to make a race of it,
Telling the other runners, close up; a little but don’t make it to obvious,
At the line with Tom Sayers, trying to stop. he got home by 3/4 of lengths all the other 4 runners in a bunch just behind.
The Welter Handicap produced a profit of £2500 that was divided as
Captain Little £500
Mr Edwards £500
Captain Tinley £500
Barber £250, Mr Dunne £250.
Perry and Palmer £150 between them
the remainder of £350 was divided between Angle and Hodge man,
A conspiracy if ever there was one.
So the jockeys of today may rest assured that they are not the only Jockeys, who have cheated and they won’t be the last.
Cubone..co.uk