ENGLISH TEXTS
gorithms and sophisticated betting techniques. The story of American Bill Benter, a math genius who moved to Hong Kong and earned over a billion dollars thanks to an algorithm he developed, is a striking example. With these additional tools, IPBs are able to optimise their bets in a pari-mutuel system where, let’ s not forget, one player’ s gain necessarily comes at another’ s expense. As in any“ food chain,” there have always been players with more capital and greater influence than others. However, in a context of declining betting turnover, the presence of IPBs is becoming a source of tension for many stakeholders. When it comes time to assign blame for the sector’ s difficulties, they often serve as the perfect scapegoat. And yet, the real subject of debate remains the percentage of returns that the betting operator grants to IPBs.
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Igor de Maack Global Economy Associate director at the wealth management firm Vitalepargne, Igor de Maack is a reference in financial market analysis. He has also invested in horses( Écurie Nininoé) out of passion, thanks to his friendship with Fabien Rycroft( Écurie Elag). Initially active in harness racing, he has diversified into flat racing, notably with horses such as Lindy and Onesto.
Katherine Ford UK Passionate about racing, Katherine left her native Yorkshire to spend six months in France in the early 2000s... and almost 25 years later, she is still there. Now a freelance journalist and translator, she has discovered and introduced racecourses around the world for Equidia, and regularly presents French racing on Sky Sports Racing. She is also a breeder and owner of Thoroughbreds.
Vicki Gibbins Ireland + Sales As Managing Editor of LAB Racing, Vicki Gibbins has a vast knowledge and experience of racing and the wid- er equestrian world. With a background specialising in bloodstock, her writing can been read in a number of publications globally, including International Thoroughbred, Racing & Sports. Vicki also represents Trackside – an on-course paddock analysis service used by Weatherbys and various other customers – and is responsible for the publication of L’ informateur.
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KATHERINE FORD’ S CHRONICLE
CHELTENHAM – LIKE YOU WERE REALLY THERE!
This year, like 1.8 million others, I followed the Cheltenham Gold Cup on British television. Over the four days of the Festival, ITV( the UK equivalent of TF1 or M6) broadcast 24 races across 17 hours of live coverage. Add to that a daily hour-long morning show on ITV4, similar to France’ s W9. The event truly takes on the scale of a major sporting occasion. From the moment the Opening Show kicks off in the morning, you’ re immersed in the action. The Irish horses, already on site, are seen
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