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Go to Jail!

I’ve recently bought racecourses at Goodwood, Newbury and York. I have also invested in new grandstands at Exeter and Catterick.

Sadly Kelso Racecourse does not feature on the Injured Jockeys Fund’s limited edition version of Monopoly. But if it did, I’m sure it would be more expensive than Ascot and Cheltenham, the two most costly properties on the board. In fact it’d probably be beyond price, much like the Free Parking square – where we still like to play by the rule that allows any visitor to collect all of the taxes and fines paid by other players.

The grandstands that I built at Catterick cost just £50 each. Which was quite a bargain when you consider that the course recently spent £1 Million developing a new entrance building and saddling boxes adjacent to the Parade Ring.

Having opened the new facilities just after Christmas, the management unveiled plans for a further £2.5 Million of development including: an enlarged Parade Ring and Winners Enclosure, the modernisation of the existing Weighing Room, and a completely new two-storey building which will provide hospitality facilities for Owners and Trainers.

If John Sanderson, Managing Director at Catterick, speaks to me nicely, I might build him a new Premier Grandstand. It’d only cost me £250 and I think I’m good for the dough – as long as I can pass ‘Go’ with my next throw of the dice and not land on Ascot where they charge £2,000 per visit. How the other half live…

Following recent injuries to jockeys Cameron Wadge and Finian O’Toole, I was pleased to secure the future of Jack Berry House. The state-of-the-art rehabilitation and fitness centre is not a great earner because it provides so many of its services free of charge or at a significantly reduced rate. But the charges reflect the charitable objectives of the Injured Jockeys Fund and it’s therefore one of the most cherished squares on the board.

The facilities at Jack Berry House include a fully equipped gym, a hydrotherapy pool, four respite rooms and shared communal areas where visitors can play exceedingly long games of Monopoly.

I’ve heard it said that there are only three certainties in life: death, taxes and Mount Mews (this week’s selection) at Kelso on Sunday. To those we can add a fourth: Weatherbys fees. Even whilst playing board games, visitors to Jack Berry House can expect to pay fees of £100 for landing on the Weatherbys square. I’ve done it three times already.

Small fines or bonuses can be accumulated by picking up ‘Chance’ cards. I’ve paid £15 for falling off at the Canal Turn (an interesting idea that we could trial with jockeys in real life) and received £10 for a Best-Turned-Out Award, which seemed a bit stingy seeing as £50 is pretty standard nowadays.

Anyway, it’s my turn again… Oh no!

‘GO TO JAIL. Go directly to jail, do not pass Go, do not collect £200. Even if you’ve backed Mount Mews.’

5 Comments Go to Jail!

  1. Lindsay Campbell

    Mount Mews …… a certainty Jonathan? a nailed on, 110 per cent, you could put your house on it, stand on me, stonewalled, you’d be a mug to miss it, all sewn up, done deal, sure fire banker?
    Perhaps you could confirm before I do my 50p ea way ?

    Reply
  2. John Jones

    I have read the Border Post for some months. For my own benefit I am currently analysing each Blog and collating the factors and thoughts contained to attempt to understand the psychosocial characteristics. (Remember that as far as Thoroughbred racing is concerned I have 14 lb allowance.)
    Of the associated Comments some are perhaps inevitably related to Tips. But as I understand, the Blogger throws in the Tips as a secondary make weight but of no greater significance. In other words people will expect it. After all, why should a horse with only two wins in its racing career, each on “heavy”, expect to pirouette on “Good”. It is a multivariate problem, probably including what the jockey had for breakfast. However, I did bet on ‘Alizee de Janeiro’ but only because as a family we have lived in Brazil – nothing else.
    No, of much greater interest of the Border Post (much better) is the content which unusually is not always strongly related to National Hunt – and all the better for that. Oh ! the Blogger is not scared to be controversial either, I suggest you read “The End of the World is Nigh…”.
    I have read somewhere that Kelso is a an exceptional Winter venue. Why is that?
    See you on 13th January – you cannot miss me.

    Reply

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