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    Sidestep Colt Tops Autumn Yearlings

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    Gordon Elliott Stable Tour

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    • Consultants told us AML program was ‘largely’ compliant: Entain Zoe SamiosBusiness reporter Oct 29, 2025 – 3.47pm   The British owner of Ladbrokes and Neds has dragged two specialist consulting firms into its fight against the financial crimes watchdog, arguing multiple reviews showed its anti-money-laundering and counter-terrorism program was largely compliant.https://bitofayarn.com London-listed Entain is in mediation with the Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre after its board and executive team were accused of failing to put in proper checks on how some of its biggest customers were financing multimillion-dollar bets.   Ladbrokes, a major sponsor of key race meets, faces millions of dollars in penalties for alleged breaches of anti-money-laundering and counter-terrorism laws. Getty The investigation found Entain allowed 17 high-risk customers to spend more than $152 million without doing appropriate due diligence. The bookmaker has contested a number of allegations in a defence filed on Monday, including the damage caused by its non-compliance. https://bitofayarn.com One of the areas of dispute is harm caused by cash that was entered into betting accounts through cash payment channels, including terminals at retail venues. “Entain accepts that certain inward payment channels obscured the source of funds, including by permitting deposits of cash, which inhibited the ability of law enforcement and AUSTRAC to trace money to its source,” the concise statement in response said.   “However, the level of harm suffered should not be equated to the total amount of deposits or withdrawals by the 17 customers ... harm requires looking at the counterfactual if alternative systems and controls were in place.” Entain is one of the country’s largest online bookmakers and had almost 2 million customers last year with a market share of 17 per cent. AUSTRAC’s central allegation is Entain did not have the right systems in place – such as transaction limits and procedures for international deposits or withdrawals – to manage the risk of money laundering. https://bitofayarn.com The wagering giant said it commissioned four independent reviews of part of its compliance program by two specialist firms – GRC Solutions and Murray Waldren Consulting. The part the consultants assessed – Part A – had the primary purpose of identifying, mitigating, and managing money-laundering or terrorism-financing risks. A defence to non-compliance is whether a company took precautions and exercised due diligence to avoid the breaches. The independent reviews conducted by GRC Solutions in 2018 and Murray Waldren Consulting between 2020 and 2022 found Part A of the program was “largely compliant” with the law. https://bitofayarn.com “They made recommendations for improvement, none of which was categorised as ‘significant’,” the concise statement said. “Entain promptly took steps to implement recommendations made in the Independent Reviews and sought assurance from MWC that it had done so appropriately.” Entain also said that once it was informed by AUSTRAC of serious non-compliance in September 2022, it overhauled its compliance program. That program was fully implemented in June alongside a multimillion-dollar increase in AML/CTF staffing and investments in systems and technology. It claims it has almost minimised risk by limiting business to Australia and removing certain payment channels.   Andrew Vouris, Entain Australia and New Zealand’s chief executive, apologised that the old program did not meet expectations. “We followed expert advice at the time but, looking back, we recognise the old program missed the mark,” he said. “We’ve acknowledged our shortcomings, taken responsibility, and spent the last two years learning from them and fixing them.” The bookmaker has set aside more than $100 million for the proceedings.
    • World-class rider Frankie Dettori announced that his last ever mounts in the U.S. would be in the Breeders' Cup, so it came as somewhat of a shock when he was named on Lagynos (Kantharos) in Saturday's GIII River City Stakes at Churchill Downs. Lagynos, trained by Steve Asmusssen, is among the top contenders in the race. But his U.S. agent Ron Anderson said Dettori will not be riding Saturday at Churchill or anywhere else in the U.S. in the future. “I have no idea why he was named on that horse,” Anderson said. “Not a clue. He's not even in the country. He's gone, gone back to England. He's retired. I have no idea why Steve named him on that horse. No idea whatsoever. I am going to have to ask him.” Dettori plans to ride in a few more races before he totally retires, but they will all be in South America. The 54-year-old superstar has told reporters that his last ever ride will be in the GI El Derby in Chile. The race, the third leg of the Chilean Triple Crown, will be run on or around Feb. 1. It is a 1 1/2 mile race run at Valparaiso Sporting Club. Prior to that he will look to ride in other prestigious South American races such as the GI Gran Premio Carlos Pellegrini Internacional at the Hipodromo de San Isidro in Buenos Aires, Argentina, in December, and the GI Gran Premio Jose Pedro Ramirez at Hipódromo Nacional de Maroñas in Montevideo, Uruguay. That race will be run Jan. 6. Anderson said he will not be booking mounts for him in South America and that local agents will handle his business there. “He brought an enthusiasm to the game that is very rare for someone who had the success that he has had,” Anderson said. “I like to tell this story: One Sunday night at Santa Anita he won three races and he called up and I hung up the phone and said, “Is that a guy that has won six Arcs? He won the Arc de Triomphe six times. Or was that a kid who just won his first race?' It sounded like a kid who won his first race. I've known him since he was a little kid. He's spectacular and has always been so enthusiastic. He's a great rider. I know he wishes he came to the U.S. a few years before he did. He was a pleasure to work for.” After his final ride, Dettori will go to work for Amo Racing as a global brand ambassador. Owned by Kia Joorabchian, Amo has quickly developed into one of the top stables in the world. “I'm thrilled to be joining Amo Racing as their global brand ambassador,” Dettori said in a social media post. “Kia and his team have huge passion and ambition for the sport, and it's exciting to be a part of their journey.” The post Yes, Dettori Is Still Retired From U.S. Racing appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article
    • By Jonny Turner  Ben Hope has a mountain to climb on Tuesday, but there is business to handle first at Oamaru on Thursday. After going desperately close in the past, Hope will again combine with Muscle Mountain in the Group 1 Renwick Farms Dominion Trot at Addington.  Hope and father Greg will balance putting the finishing touches on their three-pronged attack on the renowned trotting event with having starters at Oamaru, as well as Addington on Friday. The Hope stable’s squad of four heading south of the Waitaki includes Franco Elvis, who will be clocking up plenty of miles on the road this week. The pacer made a right hash of the standing start in his outing at Kaikoura on Monday. Franco Elvis switches back to the mobile at Oamaru, which looks a big boost to his winning claims. “He has got the ability there to win these races, but it is just about getting it out of him,” Hope said.  “He didn’t take anything out of himself at Kaikoura so we thought we would back him up.” “On ability he would be a pretty good winning chance, it’s just a matter of him getting a bit of luck and showing up with his best.” Rena is arguably the biggest winning threat among the Hopes’ Oamaru team. The three-year-old has run two ninths this time in; she was unlucky in the first before taking on strong company in her next start. “They went a good time last start and it was a much stronger field,” Hope said. “We gave her a bit of a freshen-up after that and she seems quite well.” “She is a handy filly and I would expect her to be hard to beat.” Val Thorens heads to Oamaru with two seconds and two misses this time in. In his two recent starts out of the money, the trotter has made costly mistakes when sent out as race favourite. “He has got the ability but he is not an easy horse.” “Manners will be key with him, he has gone two nice races when he has trotted.” “If he trots all the way he will be up to that field, but you never quite know with him.” Ar Gee Rulz will also wear the Hope colours at Oamaru on Thursday. “He’s an honest horse and it looks quite a suitable race for him.” “If he gets a bit of luck he should go a pretty handy race.” Muscle Mountain has drawn barrier 7 in the Group 1 Dominion on Friday. The Hope camp goes into the feature event as happy with their stable star as possible. “We are pretty happy with the draw and the horse is in a really good place.” “The campaign has gone really smoothly and we have been able to get five runs into him.” “Being a bit older he can handle the racing better and he needs it too.” “When he was younger he could rely more on his natural ability.” “All in all we are really happy with him and we just hope he can get his share of luck on the day.” Stablemate Mr Love will start alongside Muscle Mountain on the front line in the Dominion in barrier 9, while Midnight Dash will have to contend with barrier 15. View the full article
    • Preakness Stakes (G1) winner Journalism will race next year before he retires to stud at Coolmore's Ashford Stud, according to Aron Wellman of Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, one of the colt's co-owners.View the full article
    • its shaping up as heading towards a close 3 way finish between orange ,hall and mcdonald.. the tab odds are still very short for all 3  and not really worth investing on. even the odd of the drivers who have little chance seem way too short. but looking at the horses the drivers have drawn,it could be any of the 3 i mention winning. Orange has the better upcoming drivers but still is a way off the leaders and mcdonald and hall both have some handy drives and they could keep accumulating the points and hold the lead. the german may keep accumulating,but really the horses he has drawn count him out of any chance of winning.  the final heat on tuesday,orange,hall and mcdonald all look like they are on horses who would be unlikely to run in the first 3. That last heat has quite a difference in recent form of the runners and its not really a fitting final race to finish on. You would think hrnz should have programmed something more even on cup day  to be fair to the drivers..
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