IN the 2003 Irish Racing Yearbook, Brian Graham and Justin Carthy were interviewed to review the current climate for the on-course bookmaker. That year, on-course bookmakers turned over just short of €181 million on ‘home’ betting alone. The figure rose past €200 million in 2007.

In the article Graham and Carthy talked about the transition of chalk boards over to electronic boards, that this was something the ring needed to match the vibrant and exciting atmosphere at the majority of Irish racing fixtures.