I BELONG to the second generation of bookmakers in my family, following in the footsteps of my dad, Billy and uncle, Seamus. Our firm has stood at the country’s leading racecourses and dog tracks over half a century, while in more recent times our business has expanded to include pitches at some of Britain’s premier tracks.

My grandfather was passionate about greyhounds and kept a couple of stud dogs of his own. He passed that interest on to his two sons, who soon became regular racegoers. In the 1970s, my uncle began acquiring bookmakers’ pitches around the country, first at dog tracks and later racecourses. Seamus and my dad, Billy, worked together and as a child I helped out whenever I could.

When I was 12 years old, I worked at Leopardstown’s Christmas Festival, an experience I enjoyed so much, I have returned every year since! In secondary school, I spent Saturday nights working at Shelbourne Park and Sunday at whatever point-to-point I was required at. In later years, when there were two race meetings on the same afternoon as a point, I represented the family at the latter.

LICENCE

I was granted my first bookmakers’ licence at 18 years old while I was doing a degree in International Business at Dun Laoghaire College. I still remember how terrified I was that first afternoon - standing at the Tattersalls point-to-point at Fairyhouse. My nerves certainly affected me and I ended up losing 800 punts.

Over the next six years, I served my time at every racetrack and point to point in Ireland, learning the art of bookmaking from my dad and uncle. For the first three years, I worked at Shelbourne Park Wednesday and Thursday nights after college and every weekend. After finishing my degree, I went into the family business full-time. Around the same time, a window of opportunity opened in Britain when a number of bookmakers put their pitches up for sale.

In all we bought five pitches - Chester, Newmarket, Aintree, Ascot and Cheltenham. The decision to invest in Britain proved a wise one, as soon our home business also began to reap the rewards.

Punters who attended the big festivals became more familiar with the Mulvaney name, and as a direct consequence, they began to bet with us when they went racing in Ireland. We also got involved in sponsorship; we have supported the Irish Coursing Derby at Clonmel for 18 years and Crock Fatha Handicap at Bellewstown for 20 years.

Sadly, my father Billy passed away nine years ago. I took over his business and continue to operate as an individual and as part of a team with my uncle.

We now stand at the number one pitches at both Royal Ascot and Aintree, a fact we are especially proud of. In this business your position on the rails is a measure of success and it is incredible to think a ‘Paddy’ could come over and take those two prime slots at established English tracks.

Since technology became more advanced, it is possible for a firm to have multiple pitches at the one track, with the bets taken at ‘slave’ pitches, being recorded at the main one. Mulvaney’s have at least two pitches at many tracks and three at Roscommon, Kilbeggan and Killarney. In theory, the more pitches one has, the higher the turnover thus reducing liabilities and while it does require us to employ more people the volume of bets make this a worthwhile exercise.

TECHNOLOGY

Technology has played a big part in the development of bookmaking over the years. I started out aged 19, armed with a satchel, chalk and board. Nowadays, bookmakers display their prices on flashing screens and provide racegoers with computer generated receipts for every wager.

While I welcome these changes for the most part, the advent of the betting exchanges has seen the demise of decent each-way value, with most races now essentially a win market. Punters pay a 5% commission on winning bets and money won is lodged in cyberspace.

I think, as on-course bookmakers, cash betting is still one of our most attractive propositions and we should be doing more to showcase this. I’m sure most punters would agree that the big plus of cash betting is getting paid there and then.

The hustle and bustle of the ring is all part of the charm of racing and both bookmakers and punters enjoy the opportunity to engage in friendly banter.

Of course, I also inherited my grandfather’s love of greyhounds and have always had a few of my own to race. I am currently chairman of the Greyhound Bookmakers Association and have been on the INPBA Committee for the past five years.

Away from work, I love all sports, be it GAA, soccer or rugby. I am a big Dublin football fan and will be in attendance at Croke Park on Sunday. I have little doubt that the stadium is among the finest in the world and can think of few other venues that provide such an incredible atmosphere.

Ray Mulvaney was in conversation with John O’Riordan.