Latest news with #AscotRacecourse
CNA
9 hours ago
- Business
- CNA
Horseracing-Automatic betting terminals leave Ascot bookies all a flutter
ASCOT, England :Punters at Royal Ascot this week have, for the first time, been able to place bets using self-service electronic terminals as the course looks to modernise the age-old system of rows of in-person bookmakers displaying their odds to eagle-eyed racegoers. The machines, which resemble the ordering system seen in many fast-food restaurants, take punts of up to 100 pounds ($134.96) and offer a smaller range of bets than traditional bookmakers and larger pool-systems like The Tote. The gambling industry is the most substantial revenue stream for British racecourses and funds prize money, horse welfare and racecourse costs with over 13 billion pounds bet annually on horseracing in Britain. For many racegoers, handing over a crisp tenner to a brusque bookmaker is a core part of the experience, but Ascot says its technology makes betting more accessible to a wider range of people. Early responses suggest the terminals make it easier for people who know their selections and can make decisions in their own time, said Chris Collard, director of Ascot Racecourse Betting & Gaming. On the first two days of the Royal Meeting, some 60 million pounds of bets were placed via the World Pool, an international pool system into which Ascot's new machines feed. For the track's over 200 on-course bookmakers, the self-service machines with their low maximum bet are a curiosity, though they are staying alert should they feel them becoming a threat to their business. Alan Stadler, of A&A Racing, who the Racing Post reports paid 160,000 pounds for his pitch at Ascot in 2018, cautioned that remote gambling via machines could make it harder to assess those who can't afford to make the bet. "In the Royal Enclosure, you can take 5,000 pounds back from people who can readily afford it, but maybe in the Heath Enclosure, you possibly can't," he said. "So there are lots of issues going to come up with remote gambling via machines." For now Ascot has no plans to expand the rollout and says limiting the bet to 100 pounds is for the protection of customers. "Our customer base is largely recreational and our average bet size is much lower, around 10-20 pounds," he said, adding that only a fraction of total bets would come via this service. BIGGER THREATS Barry Pinnington, a bookmaker who has been in the business for 30 years, said any offering that takes business away from the track-side is a concern. But the incursion of pool kiosks, online betting and exchanges is more of a worry than the new terminals themselves. "The bottom line is that they take money away from us the closer they are to the betting rings, where the traditional bookmakers long have stood and taken the money," he told Reuters. While Pinnington traded around 60,000 pounds on Ascot's opening day, Stadler said he took a quarter fewer bets compared to the opening day last year. This still amounted to 55,000 pounds. "Online is having a bigger and bigger effect," Stadler said. "People are betting on their phones more and more. We like to think as bookmakers we're part of the day's attraction." All bets placed through Ascot's new system will feed into a global betting pool known as the World Pool, which mingles money bet at tote operators in 25 different jurisdictions from Hong Kong, through South Africa and the United States. The World Pool turned over some $8.15 billion in 2024. Trackside bookies recognise the World Pool brings important revenue for British racecourses but caution that wider adoption, and betting via mobile phones risks losing the human face. "I've seen racecourses around the world which have gone to a tote mechanism, and they're just like graveyards and there's no appeal," said Stadler. "There has to be a balance and I'm not sure the balance is there at the moment."
Reuters
9 hours ago
- Business
- Reuters
Horseracing-Automatic betting terminals leave Ascot bookies all a flutter
ASCOT, England, June 20 (Reuters) - Punters at Royal Ascot this week have, for the first time, been able to place bets using self-service electronic terminals as the course looks to modernise the age-old system of rows of in-person bookmakers displaying their odds to eagle-eyed racegoers. The machines, which resemble the ordering system seen in many fast-food restaurants, take punts of up to 100 pounds ($134.96) and offer a smaller range of bets than traditional bookmakers and larger pool-systems like The Tote. The gambling industry is the most substantial revenue stream for British racecourses and funds prize money, horse welfare and racecourse costs with over 13 billion pounds bet annually on horseracing in Britain. For many racegoers, handing over a crisp tenner to a brusque bookmaker is a core part of the experience, but Ascot says its technology makes betting more accessible to a wider range of people. Early responses suggest the terminals make it easier for people who know their selections and can make decisions in their own time, said Chris Collard, director of Ascot Racecourse Betting & Gaming. On the first two days of the Royal Meeting, some 60 million pounds of bets were placed via the World Pool, an international pool system into which Ascot's new machines feed. For the track's over 200 on-course bookmakers, the self-service machines with their low maximum bet are a curiosity, though they are staying alert should they feel them becoming a threat to their business. Alan Stadler, of A&A Racing, who the Racing Post reports paid 160,000 pounds for his pitch at Ascot in 2018, cautioned that remote gambling via machines could make it harder to assess those who can't afford to make the bet. "In the Royal Enclosure, you can take 5,000 pounds back from people who can readily afford it, but maybe in the Heath Enclosure, you possibly can't," he said. "So there are lots of issues going to come up with remote gambling via machines." For now Ascot has no plans to expand the rollout and says limiting the bet to 100 pounds is for the protection of customers. "Our customer base is largely recreational and our average bet size is much lower, around 10-20 pounds," he said, adding that only a fraction of total bets would come via this service. Barry Pinnington, a bookmaker who has been in the business for 30 years, said any offering that takes business away from the track-side is a concern. But the incursion of pool kiosks, online betting and exchanges is more of a worry than the new terminals themselves. "The bottom line is that they take money away from us the closer they are to the betting rings, where the traditional bookmakers long have stood and taken the money," he told Reuters. While Pinnington traded around 60,000 pounds on Ascot's opening day, Stadler said he took a quarter fewer bets compared to the opening day last year. This still amounted to 55,000 pounds. "Online is having a bigger and bigger effect," Stadler said. "People are betting on their phones more and more. We like to think as bookmakers we're part of the day's attraction." All bets placed through Ascot's new system will feed into a global betting pool known as the World Pool, which mingles money bet at tote operators in 25 different jurisdictions from Hong Kong, through South Africa and the United States. The World Pool turned over some $8.15 billion in 2024. Trackside bookies recognise the World Pool brings important revenue for British racecourses but caution that wider adoption, and betting via mobile phones risks losing the human face. "I've seen racecourses around the world which have gone to a tote mechanism, and they're just like graveyards and there's no appeal," said Stadler. "There has to be a balance and I'm not sure the balance is there at the moment." ($1 = 0.7410 pounds)
The Sun
a day ago
- Sport
- The Sun
I'm supremely confident my big Royal Ascot tip on Friday will be far too good for his rivals
OUT of the shadows and into the limelight — that's what I'm expecting for last season's champion juvenile at Ascot on Friday. We've made it to Day Four of the Royal meeting, and SHADOW OF LIGHT (3.05) — last season's Group 1 Middle Park and Dewhurst hero — drops back in trip for the Commonwealth Cup. 1 Like many, I suspect he will take all the beating after his comeback third to stable companion Ruling Court and Field Of Gold in the 2,000 Guineas. Shadow Of Light might well have won that race if he had been delivered a little later, but whatever the case, the drop to 6f should be exactly what he will enjoy and I just think he will be far too good. I'm happy with stall 19, so come on, William Buick. GOLD DIGGER (2.30) can get the day off to a flyer in the Albany Stakes. She looked special on debut at Yarmouth and it would be a famous winner here for Phil Cunningham and Richard Spencer. I was there that day, and many thought Awaken would take all the beating for George Boughey. She ran well, but was no match for Gold Digger, a Starman offspring who cost 260,000gns at the Craven Breeze-Up sale. She stays well and will be well suited to a Jamie Spencer special from off the pace. Stall 14 should not be an issue. ETHICAL DIAMOND (3.40) was fourth in the Duke Of Edinburgh last year when the 7-4 favourite. But he was out in stall 18 that day and get a much handier box in stall seven this time. The Willie Mullins challenger will hopefully be a stronger horse this time as he just weakened late on in 2024 and I suspect he will take all the stopping under Ryan Moore. He was a fine fourth at Cheltenham in the County Hurdle. For many the big one of the day is the Group 1 Coronation Stakes. We get the chance to see what might be a monster in FALAKEYAH (4.20) and her draw (stall two) has worked in her favour. Owen Burrows was considering the French Oaks after her demolition job in the Pretty Polly but also the Irish 1,000 Guineas. I'm pretty sure she has the speed for this test. She should be improving all the time as had only been to Wolverhampton prior to her Newmarket victory. She looks an absolute tank. Jim Crowley takes the mount. NEVER LET GO (5.00) is the one for me in the Sandringham. A strong gallop will be ideal for her and she has plenty of experience for Ed Walker. Many in this race are stepping up in trip, but Never Let Go drops in distance and looks sure to be suited by a proper gallop. Kieran Shoemark would not usually want to get down to a weight of 8st10lbs every day but he might just be rewarded here for making the effort. She's up in the handicap for a Listed third when last seen but as a lightly-raced animal I'm not too fussed about that. An each-way wager. Amiloc could easily win the King Edwards VII Stakes - also known as the Ascot Derby. But ZAHRANN (5.35) might just be one of the best Johnny Murtagh has trained in his career. The Aga Khan-owned colt and son of Night of Thunder was impressive in Listed company at Leopardstown last time and stayed this trip very well. He was well backed and it looked as though the stable knew he's classy. I'll chance him each-way. The day closes with JORGE ALVARES (6.10) in the Palace of Holyroodhouse Handicap. A lot of very fast horses here and I suspect something will come flying through late. He could be the one each-way for Colin Keane and Ger Lyons. The gelding has plenty of experience and ran really well when last seen at Curragh staying on strongly having been close to the pace. He's up 1lb here but that shouldn't make any difference and he's raced up to seven furlongs so that bit of stamina could be useful. Good luck one and all. Yeeehaaa! Commercial content notice: Taking one of the offers featured in this article may result in a payment to The Sun. You should be aware brands pay fees to appear in the highest placements on the page. 18+. T&Cs apply. Remember to gamble responsibly A responsible gambler is someone who:
Daily Mail
2 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Mail
Glamorous US television presenter left in TEARS after being kicked by a horse at Ascot - as she reveals extent of foot injury
A television presenter was left in tears with a foot injury after being brutally kicked by a horse at a British event. Andie Biancone, a rising star for US network FanDuelTV, was forced to miss her big moment as a groom for a horse. She had been chosen to lead up Lennilu - trained by her father Patrick Biancone - for The Queen Mary Stakes at Ascot but there was a painful accident on the gallops. Lennilu's company horse kicked out at her after being spooked by a truck and left her with a soft tissue injury. And so Biancone, 28, has been left on crutches and will need medical attention back in the United States. 'Lennilu and I were coming back from her canter yesterday (on Tuesday) and her company horse got spooked by a truck, kicked out, and unfortunately kicked my foot,' she told ITV Racing. Look who it is! We found @andie_biancone, who is unfortunately injured 😭 @ScottFDTV aka Lord Hazelton chats with Andie about Lennilu and every step of her journey. 🚗 — FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) June 18, 2025 Television presenter Andie Biancone was left with in injured foot after being kicked at Ascot 'But Lenni was fine, she packed me. twenty minutes home, I was sobbing, and she was just like, "are you good, mum?"' She also told FanDuelTV: 'Lennilu was fine, but the pony was spooked, he bucked straight over his head and hit me in the foot. 'Team Lennilu is very grateful that I took the hit, took one for the team. It would be a shame to have a filly come all this way, be doing so well, and get kicked in the ribs. 'So my ankle did suffer the worst of it, we got it looked at at Newmarket, they said no visible breaks, probably just soft tissue damage. 'I will probably get a second opinion in the United States but as of right now, we're crutching it.' Lennilu went on to finish third in the Queen Mary Stakes on Wednesday, with Aiden O'Brien-trained True Love coming out on top. Father Biancone said: 'She is only a baby. I liked the fact she fought back at the end. We will go home and give her a break and then we'll see her in Del Mar for the Breeders' Cup.'
Daily Record
2 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Record
Young horse dies during Royal Ascot as TV presenter reveals heartbreaking news during live coverage
Harry's Girl opened her lungs on her debut at Newmarket in April, before finishing fifth at York in May, but sadly could not make it round the bend in the Queen Mary Stakes The second day of Royal Ascot began on a sombre note with the untimely passing of Harry's Girl. This was only the third outing for the filly, who had secured a victory at her first race in Newmarket during April, followed by a run at York in May. Tragically, under the care of trainer Richard Hannon and jockey Sean Levey, she sustained an injury early into the five-furlong contest. Ascot Racecourse released a statement lamenting the loss: "Unfortunately, Harry's Girl suffered a fatal injury during The Queen Mary Stakes," they said. "Our thoughts go out to all connections at this time." During ITV Racing's live coverage of the event, presenter Ed Chamberlain conveyed the heartbreaking update, acknowledging that the incident 'cast a shadow' over True Love's win. He announced: "We've just had this confirmed by Ascot - Harry's Girl did suffer a fatal injury. Our thoughts go out to connections. It's desperately sad for the Hannon team after their celebration with yesterday's winner Haatem." The sorrowful news follows the recent demise of another of Hannon's horses, Norman's Cay, at the Epsom Derby meet only a few weeks prior. Meanwhile, True Love, trained by Aidan O'Brien and ridden by jockey Ryan Moore, triumphantly claimed her first win. Coming off the back of a second-place finish behind Gstaad in Tuesday's Coventry Stakes, True Love entered the race as the 9-4 favourite and lived up to expectations. She took a while to find her rhythm in the race as Zelaina set a blistering early pace, but she rallied impressively in the final furlong to outpace 100-1 outsider Flowerhead, with Patrick Biancone's American contender Lennilu coming in third. This victory marks O'Brien's inaugural win in the Queen Mary. You can get all the news you need on our dedicated Rangers and Celtic pages, and sign up to our newsletters to make sure you never miss a beat throughout the season. We're also WhatsApp where we bring all the latest breaking news and transfer gossip directly to you phone. Join our Rangers community here and our Celtic community here.
