MISINFORMATION comes in so many forms. Serious and not so serious.
This is the tale of two such pieces of misinformation.
PAIt sure looked like the public had taken Galopin Des Champs to heart after his third Irish Gold Cup in a row[/caption]
The first is over Galopin des Champs, Saturday’s hero of the Irish Gold Cup who rocked Leopardstown like a, well, rockstar.
THE SUN RACING MEMBERS ENCLOSURE
The only place to get Templegate’s tips first – and at the best prices – is by joining Sun Racing’s brilliant Members Enclosure (UK only).
Sign up now for just £1* to be part of racing’s best winning team and get…
Four free racing tickets, four times a year – worth £300
Templegate’s daily tips at the BEST prices before anyone else
Exclusive access to Templegate’s daily NAP
Tomorrow’s copy of The Favourite at 9pm today
Exclusive insights from top trainer Ben Pauling
VIP competitions from Racing Breaks each month
Become a member today for just £1*
*For the first month then £3 per month thereafter.
18+ Ts and Cs apply. First month membership £1, then £3 per month unless you cancel at least 7 days before your next billing date. UK only. For more information contact [email protected]
For some reason, over the last week or so certain publications have tried to convince you the public haven’t taken to the Willie Mullins-trained star.
The suggestion has been that, until Saturday, Galopin des Champs hasn’t been a ‘people’s horse’. But he is now.
It’s hard to know what a ‘people’s horse’ is in any case. It’s such a pointless phrase.
For instance, Dorans Pride was a legend in Ireland. But much less so in the UK.
Best Mate had a following, but I’m not sure it was a crazy one.
Kauto Star and Denman got everyone excited. But the world didn’t go bonkers.
Anyway, apparently you lot out there haven’t really taken to Galopin des Champs.
It’s just nonsense. I even read somewhere that one of the reasons was his name.
I mean, horses gallop. And Galopin des Champs has galop in his name.
Seems quite a good name to me.
Come on ‘Galopin’ or keep on ‘Galopin’ seems to have a ring to it. Clearly not for some.
Galopin des Champs is also a champion. He has champ in his name. That seems rather decent as well!
Remember in the world of horse racing there is a very small group of people who put out the message about how a lot of you feel about horses.
I personally think that when Galopin des Champs fell at Cheltenham in 2022, with the Turners Novices’ Chase at his mercy, the public took to him.
As with many horses, it’s coming back from defeat that catches the imagination.
Kauto Star was once down and out. He retuned a champion.
Every time Goshen runs the mind casts back to his Triumph mishap.
A year after that Turners fall, Galopin des Champs took his first Gold Cup.
To suggest he hasn’t been a horse who fans relish to see is, for me at least, quite ridiculous.
But it’s all a game of opinions. Many think I’m wrong.
On a much more serious note, Will Prochaska, an independent campaigner who advocates for gambling reform, spoke utter nonsense on the BBC the other day about problem bettors.
In a remark which should only be laughed at, Prochaska said: “It’s actually 14 per cent of adults who are showing signs of harm and gambling at risk.”
This went totally unchallenged.
Let’s deal with that first.
Racing recently came together well when animal activists tried to make out the sport was cruel and the people involved don’t care abut the animals.
A website – www.horsepower.co.uk – was set up with accurate statistics everyone could use.
Putting down the activists was a piece of cake for any half decent broadcaster or journalist.
My question here is why is there not something similar for gambling statistics?
Make no mistake here the sport is under attack. In a way that Jack Bauer or the Night Agent would struggle to counter.
Everyone who cares should have stats to hand to respond to misinformation.
The moment the Prochaska interview went out someone in power – whoever you may be – should have countered with an immediate salvo.
You have to remember this: For certain campaigners to stay relevant they have to create chaos in their subject.
That is what Prochaska does.
His statements are, I believe, manufactured in the most extreme ways.
He will take stats from the most unusual studies to back his point. As with all stats you can make them say what you want.
Find three people who don’t rate Galopin des Champs and you can say he’s not a people’s horse!
Let’s take gambling surveys.
The completion rate is much more likely to come from people who gamble – because it’s a gambling survey!
Therefore, they will always give an artificially high rate of gambling issues.
Gambling addiction is not a problem. Addiction is a huge problem, and that includes gambling.
Understand this, and you start to comprehend the place you need to begin with to try and help and prevent problem gamblers.
Most addicts have many issues. Gambling is a bi-product of those rather than the cause.
Racing needs to be on the front foot here.
Gambling can actually have many positives. But you never hear of any of those.
As was often said back in the day of Dastardly & Muttley, someone, somewhere “do something”.
FREE BETS – GET THE BEST SIGN UP DEALS AND RACING OFFERS
Commercial content notice: Taking one of the offers featured in this article may result in a payment to The Sun. You should be aware brands pay fees to appear in the highest placements on the page. 18+. T&Cs apply. gambleaware.org.
Remember to gamble responsibly
A responsible gambler is someone who:
Establishes time and monetary limits before playing
Only gambles with money they can afford to lose
Never chases their losses
Doesn’t gamble if they’re upset, angry or depressed
Gamcare – www.gamcare.org.uk
Gamble Aware – www.gambleaware.org
Find our detailed guide on responsible gambling practices here.
Creator – [#item_custom_dc:creator]
