Bert’s Horseracing Blog

Once more into the breach

Mar 28th, 2008 by Bert

It was a big day for Betfair yesterday, with an important high court ruling coming through from Australia. The Western Australian government had introduced legislation that banned betting exchanges in WA and gave the racing authorities the right to decide who could and could not offer betting on WA racing. Betfair had little choice but to challenge the ruling and take the government to court.

As we expected we won unanimously on both counts, and emphatically so (we were awarded costs). It’s a relief but no more - it was a court case that should never have happened. Maybe now we can move on.

From one court case to another, and I’m back in court today to appeal against my driving ban. I will of course look very sad and contrite and tell the court that I’ve learnt my lessons and won’t do these terrible things again. It’s showtime…

I was horrified to log on to the Racing Post site yesterday morning and see my mug on the splash page. A picture like that could easily put someone off their breakfast (not that it would be a bad thing in my case) - I can only apologise. I understand there is a piece on me in today’s paper - I haven’t read it yet.

One runner today - Kings Head goes at Newbury. He’s on an incredibly low handicap mark now having had a series of setbacks and disappointments. I think he’ll win again one day, but today may not be the day as the ground looks as if it’s gone against us again.

Posted in Berts Horses, Kings Head | 6 Comments

6 Responses to “Once more into the breach”

on 28 Mar 2008 at 9:45 am1Thommo

Bert,

If the picture with the house in the background is a true likeness then you are looking more like your father than ever.

Cheers
Thommo
on 28 Mar 2008 at 10:18 am2Craig Jack

King’s Head sounds a bit like STFC recently - a series of setbacks and disappointments. We’ll win again one day, although it’s unlikekly to happen with the clueless Mr Malpas in charge.
on 28 Mar 2008 at 7:33 pm3Stephen

Hi Andrew,

I know you are a busy guy but i need your help. Can you spare some of your valuable time to get in touch with contact details?

Thank you Andrew
on 29 Mar 2008 at 12:50 am4Fred

Nice write-up, but there was an inconsistancy, which maybe you can clear up.

I appreciate the article was probably drafted a while ago, but, the article seemed to infer Betfair was becoming more corporate, with a view to going to the market.

In the Q & A session :
Chatname : lippy

Are these changes an attempt to boost betfairs profits for an impending IPO ?

There are no plans for a Betfair IPO

Maybe you are out of the loop - or communication is faulty.
on 29 Mar 2008 at 2:07 am5Bert

Thommo,
I do a bit in the picture, but not sure if it’s a true reflection as it was a bit of a staged grin. You could be right though.

Craig,
I don’t agree with you. Results on the pitch have been disappointing, but MM knows he has to evolve the team and I respect the fact that he is mixing it up rather than putting the best 11 players on the pitch each time. I think/hope he’ll deliver the goods eventually but it will take time.

Fred,
David Ashforth interviewed me on Tuesday. There are no plans for a BF IPO. I said to him that the bigger BF gets the more inevitable an eventual IPO becomes, and that I thought the company could float in a weakish market if it wanted to. My opinions and not the company’s.
on 29 Mar 2008 at 8:41 am6Stephen

How did the court case go?

Dis you talk yourself out of a ban?

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Betfair’s Andrew Black on Horse Racing, Betting, Betfair and Random Musings

Once more into the breach

6 Responses to “Once more into the breach”

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