TREGARON TROTTING CLUB BOOKMAKERS PITCHES

27Mar

Traditionally bookmakers pitches at all our meetings have been allocated on a seniority rights basis – “the seniority list” i.e. the most long standing bookmaker has traditionally held the number I pitch followed down the line in order of seniority based on number of years attendance – pitches only changing when a bookmaker retires or passes away. It should be noted that Tregaron Trotting Club have always welcomed ALL licensed bookmakers to our meetings but it has always been accepted that “new faces” are asked to stand at the end of the line.

It is well recorded that the number of bookmakers in all harness racing meetings has dwindled especially over the past ten years therefore we have decided to review the method of allocating bookmaker’s pitches at our fixtures in order to possibly attract new blood and by giving the pitches a re-sale value. We have taken this step in order to maintain the high standard of racing and improve the facilities on offer. We can assure you that ALL proceeds from the sale of pitches will be channelled in this direction. Tregaron Trotting Club has a long tradition of being innovative and trying to improve standards of racing not only in Tregaron but throughout the UK and this is the latest suggestion.

It is therefore our intention to do away with tradition and offer for sale twenty four pitches at all our fixtures – currently three days (ONE day in May and TWO days in August) on an open tender basis. The right to each pitch will be listed and each bookmaker standing will still incur a pitch fee payable to Tregaron Trotting Club Ltd. The pitch fee will be £100 per day and will be held at this level for FIVE years, to be renewed in 2023. If a bookmaker does not take up his/her pitch at a meeting the next in line will step up e.g. if pitch T5 does not turn up B5 will have the option to move across. In any case the two lines will maintain the same number of pitches – if twelve bookmakers turn up they will stand in two lines of six with the “betting without” pitches completing the three sided concourse.

It has been decided to limit the number of pitches in order to give all bookmakers tendering a fair market without excessive dilution. Should identical tenders be received then the pitch will be resolved by drawing out of a hat. Any pitches not taken up by tender will be offered on a meeting by meeting basis up to the maximum of 24 pitches at twice the normal pitch fee. Should the number of tenders exceed 24 then a reserve list will be drawn up.

CLICK HERE to read more.

CLICK HERE to download Tender Form.