As a bookie, standing in the betting ring at Cheltenham is like stepping onto the pitch at Wembley. It’s everything you’ve ever dreamed of and worked for. On the drive up, you’ll be anxious, excited, probably a little bit ratty, but most definitely desperate to get stuck in.
It’s been hard to avoid the pessimism surrounding racing at the moment but allow me a little moment to go
By James Lovell To be able to give a little back to racing is a privilege, so to sponsor a
When our father first took to his pitches at the racetracks of the UK in the late 60’s, the betting jungle was THE market. The betting ‘shows’ were formed directly from the chalkboards and reported back to the shops and credit offices around the country via telegram and ticker tape.
It was economics in its purest form. The odds went up based on each individual bookmaker’s ‘tissue’ before being solidified by the invisible hand of demand and supply.
Fast forward 50 odd years and as you’d expect with the vastness of the industry, things have changed a lot. Supply and demand replaced by algorithms and computer models.
One of the best things about bookmaking is that there’s so much to learn. I’ve been involved for 25 years
That’s the thing with festival bookmaking, it’s like all the emotions of life are rolled up and spat out at you over a short period of a few days in supersonic speed.
They say if you enjoy your work, you’ll never work a day in your life. Well it’s not very often I’ve thought of going the races as work
Oncourse bookmakers are unique, the ring’s full of characters and I for one love playing my part and laying a bet. Just like those before us always have.
When my brother, David, and I set up DragonBet, we had no idea what it would involve.
David – a professional gambler – and myself, a racecourse bookmaker, thought we had the perfect skill set.
It turns out we probably didn’t. I’m still not sure we do, but we’re trying damn hard to get there.
It’s that time of year when the temperatures drop. But before you reach for the thermostat, what should you do?
It was always going to be a case of, “after the lord mayor’s show” when Ascot finished. It takes a
There’s nothing like a heatwave during Royal Ascot to make a bookie sweat! The big meetings bring out the big
Just when you think you’ve got this game cracked . . . After a few good weeks, and with the
As the old saying goes, “There’s no pill like a winning pill” and last week we had a double dose.
Top of the list of things I thought I’d never say was, “Did you see the Ffos Las Derby winner?
Bookmaking is a strange business and sometimes you’re happy when you lose. We’ve all heard the saying, “You never see
I stand with the vegans. Ban the Grand National! Well, that’s what my empty pockets are telling me, anyway. For
To a bookie, spring means only one thing. Aintree. The Liverpool meeting is big. It’s not Cheltenham big, but it’s
After Cheltenham, whatever happened over the following weeks was always going to feel like a bit of a comedown. Things
Cheltenham 2023 will live long in the memory. It had it all – a horse for the ages, emotion by
If last week was about recovery, this week was about getting prepped for attack! If last week was about recovery,
Let’s start with a little confession. I’m still slightly punch drunk from that big football hit the week before (the
They say Sunday is the day of rest. Well, after the second bad one in a row, it seems to
You can almost hear it now . . . the famous roar of Cheltenham, voices joined in unison, ready for
The sun has re-emerged on weekday afternoons, the days are getting longer, and the daffodils will soon be bursting into
I’m glad to report that after what seems like 384 days of January, we’re now into February and the Six
Some people often ask me why bookies would want to share tips or offer betting picks. Why risk a big
Just over a week ago Chepstow saw the return of the NH season and the Jump Season Opener across the
As the seasons’ change and the long summer fades, there seems to be a sense of foreboding about the likely
Wayne Pivac has challenged his Wales players to build on their performances in South Africa at regional level this season.
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