Bookies at odds with track management
A problem has arisen between bookmakers and the Dundalk executive, which is considering a new payment structure for bookmakers wishing to stand at the new facility.
However, the Irish National Bookmakers Association is standing firm in its view that seniority which applied at the old Dundalk, closed now for six years, should be adhered to at the new complex, Ireland's first all-weather racecourse.
Francis Hyland, spokesman for the INBA, said last week: “If they disregarded seniority they'd have a big problem and it's possible no bookmakers would be there on August 26 but it hopefully won’t come to that.
“The rules clearly state that seniority must apply under the pitch rules going back to 1976, rules that were just reviewed only last month, and that has to be the case.”
Jim Martin, chief executive of Dundalk, is looking to the betting ring to provide another vital revenue stream for the multi-million euro development, which is scheduled to stage 12 fixtures this year.
He said: “We're in discussions at the moment. A number of bookmakers have come and offered us considerable sums for pitches in Dundalk but the bookmakers association have said we shouldn't accept their money as the people who were there before should get in before them.
New track
“Some are saying seniority from the old Dundalk should apply but that has been closed for six years now and this is a brand new track and a brand new company,” stressed Martin. “We are starting from scratch.”
Ciaran O'Tierney, a part-owner of Brave Inca and a bookmaker for 20 years, said: “Seniority is sacrosanct, be it in Dundalk or any other track and bookmakers are not prepared to pay more than five times admission to get in. Nothing else is going to apply.”
Hyland echoed these sentiments, adding: “Currently we pay five times admission and that will not change and we won't be paying any more to stand up at Dundalk but we could well contribute to better facilities, like covering up the betting ring for example.
“They must abide by the pitch rules and hopefully it will be sorted out before their first meeting in August.”
Hyland added: “The racecourses have an agreement with bookmakers through the Association Of Irish Racecourse and those rules state quite clearly what Dundalk have to do and what the bookmakers have to do. I see no reason why the pitch rules won't be honoured.”
Work on the groundbreaking venue is on course, according to Martin.
He said: “We're on schedule for Sunday August 26 and we're looking at hosting a press open day some time in July when we'll have trials on the track with several top trainers and jockeys in attendance.”
2007 Fixtures - Sunday 26 August, Thursday 27 September, Friday 28 September, Friday 5 October, Friday 12 October, Friday 19 October, Friday 26 October, Friday 9 November, Friday 16 November, Friday 23 November, Friday, 30 November, Friday 7 December.
