Jockey Club add owners to bets ban

Lay a horse that you are responsible for via betting exchanges and the consequences "could be very serious indeed."

That was the message to owners, trainers and stable staff as the Jockey Club continued its drive to police the biggest betting phenomenon of modern times. Rumours continue to circulate that certain racing insiders are making hefty profits by taking bets via organisations like Betfair on horses who are unfancied by connections.

Bringing a successful action against them is another matter, but in less than six weeks the Jockey Club will have the power to bring a case after deciding on a blanket laying ban for those most closely connected with racehorses.

Jockey Club PR director John Maxse clarified the impending changes and outlined the potential penalties offenders could face.

He said: "The issue of whether trainers and stable staff should be able to lay their own horses was clear cut.

"The Racehorse Owners' Association made strong representations in favour of owners being allowed to lay horses to offset expenses, but having considered all the options the blanket ban is the route we have decided to go down."

Rule 244 will cover the new legislation, and Maxse hinted that those who break it could face losing their licences.

"The punishment would depend on all the relevant facts, but if a trainer or owner was found to have layed a horse who was subsequently found not to have run on its merits the repercussions could be very serious," he added.