Malaysia Tabbed for World-Class Racing
World-class horse racing will become a mainstay in Malaysia if Diriwan Corporation has its way. The company is planning a project to revitalize the Tambalang Racecourse in Kota Kinabalu, pending approval from the state government. The track was left in a state of neglect after redevelopment and repair works ceased about a year ago. Diriwan signed a 25-year lease in 1988 to operate the track, which is presently used for polo.
IFHA Releases 2005 Cataloguing Standards
The International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA) has released the 2005 edition of its International Cataloguing Standards and International Statistics is available. The resource contains a complete list of 2005 stakes races accorded group/graded or listed status in sales catalogues published by the world's major thoroughbred auction companies. The standards were established by the International Cataloguing Standards Committee and approved by the Society of International Thoroughbred Auctioneers. A special feature enables users to download the book in its entirety or view individual sections, including a list of black-type races by country. The book also includes the 2004 World Thoroughbred Racehorse Rankings, an international ranking of the top runners by age and distance compiled by a panel of handicappers from Europe, the United States, Japan and Australia. The lists are available through the IFHA Web site at www.horseracingintfed.com.
New Jersey Commences Phone Wagering
New Jersey's phone wagering system for racing got off the ground in early May, and Dennis Dowd, senior vice president of New Jersey Account Wagering, said everything is "running smoothly." State regulators approved telephone and Internet account wagering in July 2004, and an Internet system was launched in November 2004. Dowd's group, a joint venture between the New Jersey Sports Authority and Pennwood Racing, is in charge of the account wagering systems, which have brought in more money than originally projected. "We've already exceeded 3,000 accounts, and we're projecting a handle of more than $35 million for 2005, which is 20 percent beyond our expectations," Downd said. "With the high-profile Triple Crown races--starting with the Kentucky Derby, the opening of Monmouth Park on May 14, the harness meet at the Meadowland and the addition of the touch tone voice recognition system--we anticipate even more interest in account wagering." Under New Jersey Account Wagering, state residents can wager on New Jersey tracks, including Monmouth Park and the Meadowlands and their incoming simulcasts. Account wagering in New Jersey was approved in a voter referendum in 1998.
Racing Fee Could Hinge on Betfair License
It appears that a $5 million annual racing fee could play a major role in Tasmanian regulators' decision on whether to grant a PBL/Betfair joint venture a betting exchange license. Tote Tasmania pays the fee to Tabcorp, the Victorian betting agency, but the tote feels that it should be waived. Tabcorp has already offered to cut the settlement fee in half on the condition that Betfair is not granted a license. Tasmanian Racing Club Chairman Geoff Harper said there's a strong chance the Tasmanian government will not grant Betfair an online gaming license if Tabcorp forgoes the entire payment and the money goes into the state's coffers.
Youbet.com Eyes Rebate Shop Business
Youbet.com hopes to complete its purchase of International Racing Group (IRC) this summer; the sale marks the company's entry into the highly controversial rebate shop business. IRC is a Curacao-based wagering company that offers rebates to gamblers who bet large sums of money. The rebate shops are typically outside the United States or on Native American reservations and have become one of racing's hot-button issues. While they contribute to the total handle, they are blamed for taking racetracks' customers and have even been cut off by some tracks. Youbet.com said it hopes to bring a measure of credibility to rebate shops, a fast-growing part of the pari-mutuel industry.
Superfecta Ticket Lost, then Found; Winner gets $864K
A lost winning Kentucky Derby superfecta ticket worth $864,253 was found by a mutel teller at Turf Paradise Park and returned to its rightful owner. The teller, Brenda Reagan, sold the ticket to Christopher Hertzog and found it on Sunday next to her terminal. "I never knew I had so many emotions," the 39-year-old Hertzog said. "I couldn't believe I lost this once-in-a-lifetime payday. It's unbelievable that it was found." Hertzog spent two hours sorting through trash bags with friends in the clubhouse area after realizing he may have discarded one of his 50 $1 superfecta and 50 $1 trifecta tickets. Later Sunday, Reagan noticed two mutuel tickets next to her tote machine. One of them was the lost ticket.
At the Races, Magna Ink Simulcasting Deal
At the Races, the interactive U.K.-based dedicated satellite channel, finalized an agreement with Magna Entertainment Corp. and Churchill Downs Simulcast Network for the exclusive broadcast rights in Great Britain and Ireland to simulcast racing from several major United States tracks. Bettors will be able wager on races from Magna and Churchill tracks--including Churchill Downs, Hollywood Park, Santa Anita Park and Gulfstream Park--with bookmakers who have contracted with the At the Races's wagering partner, The Racing Network International. The contracted bookmakers are Ladbrokes, SkyBet, Blue Square and BetDirect, with more to be added soon.
Racing UK Debuts Expanded Service
A partnership between Racing UK, the horseracing channel, and the Racing Post, has resulted in the rollout of a new service aimed at providing online sports and gaming operators with expanded racing features. Licensees will be able to tap into live coverage of Racing UK's entire media portfolio and analysis and form supplied by the Racing Post. The joint venture follows a recent partnership between the Racing Post and Racing UK for a dedicated Grand National Web site that recorded more than 2.4 million page impressions from over 157,000 unique users in the nine days leading up to the Saturday race.