Racing: Satellite strife

A RIVAL to the organisation which represents the major betting-shop chains has announced that it aims to screen its own satellite racing service to betting shops.

The British Betting Office Association is dissatisfied with the charges made by Satellite Information Services, in which the major bookmakers have stakes. The association, set up in August, has 150 members representing 600 shops.

The BBOA hopes to have live pictures, plus text, in place within 18 months, claiming a total cost of about pounds 5,000 per year for each shop, roughly half the amount charged by SIS. However, the provision of live pictures depends on the outcome of a case in the Restrictive Practises Court between the Office of Fair Trading, SIS and the Racecourse Association.

Fahd Salman, the owner of Generous, was yesterday made an honorary member of the Jockey Club. Ivan Straker, who as Seagram's chairman led the rejuvenation of the Grand National, has been elected a Jockey Club member.