JA McCrath leads tributes after death of former bookmaker Graham Billington

The bookmaking profession is mourning the death after a short illness of Graham Billington, who for many years operated from the rails – and especially at his local track Haydock – under the name JP Doyle.

His trading title was a combined compliment to his two betting heroes, the legendary JP McManus and bloodstock agent Jack Doyle

The former schoolteacher from Garstang, near Preston, had a long-standing pitch at Aintree and was a familiar face with punters at the Cheltenham Festival, Royal Ascot and York. Greyhound fans in the North West familiarised themselves with him via his stand at Belle Vue, Manchester, where he set up in 1990.

Journalist and friend JA McGrath remembered him as an enthusiastic gambler as well as a layer. He said: “Graham was a terrific guy. He was the kind of man who fitted easily into any company, as I found when he came down to Australia for Media Puzzle’s Melbourne Cup.

“He always went to the Breeders’ Cup and loved horseracing, racing people and betting.”

Angus Loughran was another close confidante and recalled: “I went to sporting events all round the world with Graham. He loved a bet on the golf and was on Todd Hamilton at 250-1 for his Open Championship win at Royal Troon. But it was his engaging manner that endeared him to the punters that bet with him at all the top meetings.”

The Cheltenham Festival proved to be Billington’s final meeting, although as he had given up his pitch there a few years ago it was purely as a spectator and punter. He more than paid for the week from his ante-post wager on Simply The Betts in the Brown & Merriebelle Advisory Plate."

He leaves a widow, Theresa, daughter Sarah and two grandsons.

HRI reveals summer jumping programme with new-look Galway festival

Horse Racing Ireland has published its summer jumping programme until the August bank holiday weekend, with changes to the Galway festival's scheduling as a result of mixed cards being prohibited.

As previously reported by the Racing Post, the Galway Plate and Galway Hurdle have maintained their usual positions, with a Listed novice hurdle, won last year by Fast Buck, moved from Tuesday to Wednesday.

The revised programme, which begins at Limerick on June 22, has maintained prominent opportunities in the lead-up to Ballybrit such as the Grade 3 Grimes Hurdle in place at Tipperary on June 26 and the Grade 3 An Riocht Chase at Killarney on July 7.

HRI race planning manager Shane Doyle said: "Most cards have been programmed with the possibility of a divide included to respond as effectively as possible to the demands of the horse population and give additional opportunities in the areas of highest demand.

"The quality of horses running through the summer programme, even outside the Galway Festival, continues to rise, with the likes of Ballyoisin, Darver Star, Peregrine Run and Ravenhill appearing regularly last year."

HRI says it will publish the full Flat programme up to the conclusion of the Galway festival late next week, with full details of the revised summer jumping schedule available here.

Clerk of the scales stalwart Peter Sayer dies aged 80

Peter Sayer, the Jockey Club's senior clerk of the scales between 1993 and 2005, died last week at the age of 80.

He had been in racing administration for all of his working life, working until the age of 70. Sayer was a secretary in the Jockey Club's licensing committee before moving on to become clerk of the scales.

Peter Sayer: pictured after his final day as clerk of the scales in 2005Credit: Gerry Cranham (racingpost.com/photos)

In 2005, Sayer was awarded the George Ennor Trophy at the Horserace Writers & Photographers Association Derby Awards. The award was presented for lifetime achievement for his services to the sport.

A private funeral service is to take place and donations can be made through J Perigue & Son Funeral Directors.

Hard-hit Irish point-to-point sector boosted by increase in autumn fixtures

The Irish point-to-point season will be boosted this autumn with at least 30 per cent more fixtures set to be added to the programme in a bid to support those impacted by lost fixtures in recent months.

The 2020 autumn point-to-point campaign will begin on September 14, with the option of adding further fixtures during the season should the Irish National Hunt Steeplechase Committee (INHSC) deem that sufficient demand exists.

Envoi Allen: one of the finest Irish point-to-point graduates of recent seasonsCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

The prospect of point-to-point bumper trials taking place over the coming months had been discussed following the cancellation of the current season on April 2, but Thursday's statement from the INHSC said that due to a number of varying factors, these events will not take place now as was envisaged.

Martin O'Donnell, senior steward of the INHSC said: "The stewards are acutely aware of the loss of so many fixtures in the spring season for the point-to-point industry and the consequential knock-on effects.

"With this in mind, we instigated a consultation process with all industry stakeholders and I would like to thank all those who took time to engage in this process."

He added: "We hope that planning for an enhanced autumn season, starting earlier than normal will give point-to-point owners and handlers extra opportunities to run horses which they were unable to do in the spring."

The autumn 2020 point-to-point fixture list will be published in the coming weeks, with a provisional summary of races to follow.

The Racing Post newspaper will be back in shops to mark the return of British racing on Monday, June 1! With extensive coverage of all the racing, interviews with the biggest names, tipping from our renowned experts, writing from the likes of Alastair Down and all the cards and form, it's your unmissable guide to all the action. Pick up your copy on Monday.