Horse racing under scrutiny from BBC Panorama

The world of horse racing is preparing to be placed under the microscope for the second time by the BBC1 programme Panorama.  The show is due to air tonight in a one special titled ‘Racing’s dirty secret’.  The shows contents have been a closely guarded secret but are not felt to be as hard hitting as Panorama’s first investigation into horse racing in October 2002.

The October 2002 programme led to resignation of the head of security for the Jockey Club Jeremy Phipps after undercover footage of him lambasting his employers was broadcast.  The focus of tonight’s show is thought to have more emphasis on the issues of the laying of horses through betting exchanges as well as the misuse of insider information

The spokesperson for the British Horse Society, Paul Struthers said “We acknowledge that racing, as any sport where betting is involved, attracts people on its fringes who will try to cheat the odds by obtaining inside information and within the sport there are some people who are susceptible to these corrupting influences because they are greedy or naïve“, he went on to add “We have emphasised to Panorama the need to maintain a sense of proportion, there are well over 20,000 owners, trainers, jockeys and stable staff involved in racing, over 10,000 races and millions of race goers and punters who enjoy the sport. Overall racing is not corrupt and its reputation should not be allowed to be tainted by the actions of a small minority.”

The show is likely to feature evidence from the prosecution of last years collapsed high profile
trial of the jockey Kieren Fallon. It is also understood that the BHA are in uproar that they have yet been given permission to access the information by the Crown Prosecution Service.

Federer Vs Nadal Generates £10 Million

Following the record breaking £8 million turnover for the Andy Murray vs Rafa Nadal showdown last week records have again been broken for the Wimbledon final between Federer and Nadal early estimates are putting the betting turnover at £10 million.

William Hill spokesman Graham Sharpe said “This game has the potential to smash the current record and become the first time that an eight figure sum has been riding on the outcome of a single tennis match”, Sharpe continued “‘You have two of the most popular sportsmen in world sport who look evenly matched about to play a game about which every sports fan will have an opinion as to the outcome. We have already taken bets of £30,000; £25,000 and £15,000 for Federer, and a £10,000 bet for Nadal, who will cost us more if he wins.”

William Hill currently have Roger Federer as the favourite to win and claim the £750,000 men’s single prize with odds of 4/5 with Nadal being quoted at even money to collect his 6th title of the year.