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#1
09-21-2007, 08:25 PM
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http://www.buzzle.com/articles/153287.html
Sheikh Steps in to Save Racing on Channel 4 Horse racing: An intervention by the wealthiest name in racing means coverage on Channel 4 for the next two years is virtually assured. The future of racing coverage on Channel 4 television appears to be secure for the next two years, after the station entered into exclusive negotiations on a sponsorship deal for its programming with Dubai Holding, a company which is almost wholly owned by Sheikh Mohammed. The deal will guarantee coverage of 80 days' racing on Channel 4 in 2008 and 2009. Dubai Holding incorporates a number of companies involved in developing and promoting Dubai both as a business center and a holiday destination. Since it is not concerned with bookmaking, Dubai Holding will be allowed advertisement time at the beginning and end of Channel 4's Morning Line program on Saturdays, in addition to the start and close of the live racing coverage. It will also have short "bumper" slots at the beginning and end of commercial breaks. It has been clear for several weeks that a sponsor was likely to be found for Channel 4's coverage, following Tote sport's decision to pull out of its current agreement at the end of this year. It had been widely assumed, though, that another betting company would be the most natural fit, with firms including Betfair and Paddy Power believed to be involved in preliminary talks. However, Sheikh Mohammed has often used racing to promote Dubai in the past, via his Godolphin operation and such initiatives as the Dubai World Cup, and in effect he has now stepped in to bankroll Channel 4's output. Hannah Walker, Channel 4 Racing's public relations officer, said yesterday that the Sheikh's involvement would not compromise the programs editorial standards. "This is a fantastic consumer brand," Walker said, "and the fact that it involved no editorial restraints [in respect of the Gambling Act], so that it can sponsor the complete schedule was one of the deciding factors. "We have enjoyed a great working relationship in the past with sponsors such as Totesport. They have never placed any editorial requirements on us or vice versa, and I can't see any reason why that would happen now." The exact sum paid by Dubai Holding to secure the sponsorship remains confidential - "it's a significant sum," Walker said, "and that's all we are prepared to say." However, it is widely believed that Channel 4 were asking for £4m over two years, and the final deal is unlikely to be far short of that figure. What remains to be seen is whether the new deal will bring about any major changes in the style or substance of Channel 4's coverage. A number of the programs presenters, including John McCririck and Derek Thompson, have been part of its coverage for 20 years or more, but Walker stressed yesterday that Andrew Franklin, C4 Racing's director is "always trying to groom new stars". "Channel 4 Racing is a strong product and it has its loyal viewers," Walker said. "You could say that if something isn't broken don't fix it, but we do have editorial reviews every year. Channel 4 Racing can only change and evolve if the sport changes and evolves, but it might be a good idea to canvass ideas on our programming." McCririck, who is the face of British racing as far as many casual observers are concerned, was thrown off a TV chat show yesterday for saying to Chris Tarrant's estranged wife, Ingrid: "You must be terrible in bed for Chris to leave you." Walker said: "We have a contract with him for our terrestrial racing coverage, as we do with all our presenters, but outside Channel 4 Racing we don't have any controlling power over them. "It was improper behavior, but I believe it was dealt with in a proper manner. Like a headmaster and a naughty schoolboy, John McCririck had a good public whip-down by Alan Titchmarsh." 
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#2
09-22-2007, 04:07 AM
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Did you here that they have even bought into the Nasdaq
 As i am not American, i'm not quite sure what that means to your country, but it seems like a strange decision from whoever let them buy into it. I have heard from a few people and they are far from happy. It was good to hear somebody stepped into sponsor C4 racing....... i hope they don't make any changes, however because it is a great format.
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Avatar ~ Nicky Whelan  and now we murderers because we kill time
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#3
09-22-2007, 04:09 AM
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So, have you decided yet....... Ace or Rakti????
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Avatar ~ Nicky Whelan and now we murderers because we kill time
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#4
09-23-2007, 03:37 PM
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It's offical...... Godolphin injure both horses AND humans.
I am currently lame after having the ligaments in my foot damaged when a Godolphin batsman smashed the ball at my foot from close range....... OUCH! At least it wasn't broken, which i had feared at the beginning.
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Avatar ~ Nicky Whelan and now we murderers because we kill time
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#5
09-23-2007, 04:14 PM
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Quote:
 Oh and Rakti is THE greatest horse I've ever seen but Ace-ie, well..... he's up there too. 
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#6
09-23-2007, 04:20 PM
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Quote:
It was just the stable lads and a couple of chefs, they are all good lads, and most of them are very good cricketers. I tried asking one guy who is the 'yard supervisor' of the yard where the top horses are stabled how all the good horses were and what plans they had..... the only response i got was a look and a smile at least i tried.
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Avatar ~ Nicky Whelan and now we murderers because we kill time
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#7
10-01-2007, 04:00 PM
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That's it Godolphin..... buy another good horse and rule him out of racing anymore this year. This is pathetic!
From racing post..... Laureate to join Godolphin by Andrew King POET LAUREATE, second to Irish Wells in the Grand Prix de Deauville on his most recent outing, was on Sunday confirmed as Godolphin's latest recruit. At the same time, the three-year-old was ruled out of this Sunday's Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, for which he had been a general 33-1 chance. Godolphin's racing manager Simon Crisford said on Sunday: "Poet Laureate is at a pre-training yard, from where he'll be joining us to race next year. He won't run again this season." The colt raced four times for Andre Fabre in Sheikh Mohammed's colours, winning twice - including a Listed race at Deauville in August - and finishing runner-up on his other two outings. Crisford also confirmed that this year's Prix de Diane heroine West Wind will join Godolphin trainer Saeed Bin Suroor's string for 2008. He said: "West Wind hasn't joined up with us yet, but has been transferred to Godolphin and will run for us next year." Like Poet Laureate, West Wind has been racing in Sheikh Mohammed's silks, for trainer Alex Pantall. In addition to Poet Laureate and West Wind, Creachadoir, Laureldean Gale, Al Shemali, Accountforthegold and Gothenburg have all been recent additions for Godolphin. *************** Gothenburg has looked like a very good horse in his three starts this year. They better not ruin him!!!!
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Avatar ~ Nicky Whelan and now we murderers because we kill time
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