Sport

On-course betting row is resolved

THE Irish Horseracing Authority (IHA) and the Irish National Bookmakers Association (INBA) have agreed a resolution to the dispute…

Fri Jan 17 1997 - 00:00

THE Irish Horseracing Authority (IHA) and the Irish National Bookmakers Association (INBA) have agreed a resolution to the dispute involving the on-course betting shop at Leopardstown race course.

The compromise was worked out yesterday at the Department of Agriculture under the chairmanship of department secretary Michael Dowling.

The decision will be welcomed by racecourse punters who will be able to bet with the on-course bookmakers at Leopardstown's prestigious AIG Europe Irish Champion Hurdle meeting on Sunday as well as the equally important Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup Chase meeting at the same track a fortnight later.

Suggestions that the dispute, which saw layers boycotting last Saturday's Ladbroke Hurdle meeting at Leopardstown, was a disaster for Irish racing were well wide of the mark, but it is vital to the IHA's recently-announced five-year strategy plan that the two bodies re-establish a level of trust. Certainly, yesterday's announcement is a step in the right direction.

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In the words of INBA secretary Francis Hyland, the bookmakers are not the most popular people on the racetrack, but there is no doubt that race meetings would be dull affairs without them.

The terms of the agreement are:

1, An independent consultant will be appointed immediately to evaluate the results of the trial carried out on the SP shop at Leopardstown in 1996 on agreed terms of reference.

2, Both sides agree to be to be bound by the findings and recommendations of the consultant.

3, The cost of the consultancy will be borne by both sides.

4, The consultant is being asked to report by March 7th, 1997.

5, No bets on the home meeting will be taken in the SP shop until the consultant reports.

6, Both sides agree that a comprehensive study should be carried out on on-course betting in relation to horse racing.

7, Other issues relating to the levy system and matters affecting the ring have been agreed for implementation.

The agreement comes five days after a last-minute resolution toe the dispute between the IHA and INBA failed to materialise.