Settlement reached in BHB case

A settlement has been reached in the challenge by a consortium of Irish bookmakers to the British Horseracing Board’s right to make charges for pre-race data.

The case of the Irish bookmakers versus the BHB started in Dublin’s Commercial Court on Tuesday and ended today.

BHB chief executive Greg Nichols said: “We are pleased to have reached a settlement that backs up what we always maintained. Our contracts with Irish bookmakers were valid and have continued to be valid, and reflected the significant value that betting operators derive from British racing.

“No money received by BHB under the terms of the contracts will be repaid to Irish bookmakers.

"We now look forward to working with the Irish betting industry on future arrangements.”

A representative of the Irish bookmakers said it had been an “amicable settlement”.