Straight Shorts is a rolling news update service on the biggest stories in racing, wagering and breeding. Our coverage includes a new sale-topper at the Classic Sale and news from Hong Kong with the latest on injured jockey Zac Purton, as well as the sudden resignation of Entain global CEO Gavin Isaacs.
Issacs departs Entain CEO role suddenly
Australian-born executive Gavin Isaacs has made a sudden exit as CEO of global wagering giant Entain just five months into his role.
Entain announced on Tuesday morning UK time that Issacs would depart the role with immediate effect.
Stella David, currently Entain’s Non-Executive Chair, will again assume the role of Chief Executive Officer (CEO) on an interim basis until a permanent replacement has been found.
“Entain is making strong progress in delivering our strategic priorities,” David said. We would like to thank Gavin for his contribution.”
“The Board is pleased with the Group’s performance in 2024 and trading so far this year. As announced on 13 January 2025, FY2024 Group EBITDA is expected to be at the top of the £1,040m-£1,090m guidance range.
"The Board and management remain aligned on the Group’s focus on operational excellence and maximising shareholder value. I look forward to leading the business as we continue to accelerate our performance.”
Issacs only assumed the role on September 2 last year.
David was previously interim CEO from December 2023 until September 2024 after the departure of Jette-Nygaard Andersen.
$520,000 for The Autumn Sun colt at Classic
The brother to Group 1-placed two-year-old Tulsi by Arrowfield's The Autumn Sun sells to Hong Kong agent Willie Leung for $520,000, making him the highest-priced lot to sell at the Inglis Classic Sale so far this week.
Offered by Valiant Stud, the colt is the sixth foal out of Lonhro mare Talimena, herself from the family of Golden Slipper winner Kiamichi.
Purton out of action for up to six weeks after fall
Zac Purton expects to be released from hospital on Tuesday but faces up to six weeks out of the saddle as he recovers from an injury sustained in a fall at Sha Tin.
Purton was one of four jockeys who came to grief when a horse broke down and caused a chain reaction through the field.
He suffered a broken big toe that forced Purton to miss key rides on Hong Kong’s star sprinter Ka Ying Rising, Galaxy Patch and Hong Kong Derby hopeful Packing Angel.
“My big toe was basically at right angles and broken in two places,” Purton told SEN Track.
“(The surgeons) had to realign it … and put some pins in it.”
Purton said the outcome could have easily been much worse for himself and fellow riders Vincent Ho, Keith Yeung and Angus Chung.
“We were very lucky to get out of it with the injuries we did,” he said.
🏇 @HKJC_Racing Corner@zpurton joined @ghall27 for an update on his recovery from a broken toe suffered in a nasty fall at Sha Tin on Sunday
— Giddy Up With Gareth Hall (@SENGiddyUp) February 11, 2025
Listen below 👇https://t.co/2tiXUfhffv
Purton will be sidelined when Ka Ying Rising contests the Group 1 Queen’s Jubilee Silver Cup at Sha Tin on February 23.
Karis Teetan, who has won on Ka Ying Rising, will take over from Purton.
“I’m a little bit frustrated but there’s nothing I can do about it,” Purton said.
Slipper favourite in barrier trial as latest order of entry released
Golden Slipper favourite Wodeton has returned to the public eye for the first time since a brilliant first-up win with a barrier trial at Warwick Farm.
Wodeton settled towards the back of the field in a 790m heat before finishing fourth, three lengths behind the winner Infant Warrior, an unraced Anders filly from the Marc Conners stable.
On the strength of a Rosehill victory on January 18, Wodeton occupies the top line of betting at $3.50 for the $5 million Golden Slipper.
All eyes 👀 on Golden Slipper favourite Wodeton as @mcacajamez guides the @cwallerracing colt into fourth place in a Warwick Farm trial on Tuesday. The heat was won by Infant Warrior beating Nashville Jack and Enchanted By. @tabcomau pic.twitter.com/gyfHb49Muz
— Racing NSW (@racing_nsw) February 11, 2025
The Wootton Bassett colt, raced by a high-powered Coolmore syndicate, is equal 21st in an updated Slipper order of entry released on Tuesday.
Trainer Chris Waller says Wodeton is likely to have his next start in the Silver Slipper Stakes at Rosehill on February 22.
The Golden Slipper order of entry is headed Golden Gift winner North England.
Inglis Millennium winner Rivellino moved up to fourth despite only a portion of the $1.155 million he won for connections counting towards the Slipper ballot.
Latest Golden Slipper order of entry.
HKJC appoints James Bidlake to head up legal and compliance
The Hong Kong Jockey Club has confirmed that James Bidlake will succeed Shella Ng as Executive Director, Legal and Compliance (EDLC).
As a member of the Board of Management, Bidlake, who will also assume the role of Company Secretary on February 25, will report directly to the Club’s Chief Executive Officer, Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges.
Englishman Bidlake, who has been in Hong Kong for over 20 years, previously worked as general counsel for luxury travel group DFS and before that with Morgan Stanley.
Dabble complements UK bid with new BetMakers deal
Accompanying an ambition to launch in the United Kingdom, online bookmaker Dabble has expanded its partnership with racing data and analytics provider BetMakers.
As part of the updated deal, BetMakers will supply technology solutions for Australian and UK racing markets.
In addition, Dabble will have access to BetMakers’ Racelab form product, further enhancing their offerings across both regions.
“Our partnership with BetMakers has been instrumental to our achievements in Australia, and we are thrilled to extend this relationship as we prepare to launch in the UK,” Dabble chief executive Tom Rundle said.
Dabble, a platform aimed at attracting a younger wagering audience, was founded in 2020 and counts ASX-listed Tabcorp as one of its major investors.
In 2022, Tabcorp purchased a 20 per cent share in Dabble.
The UK Gambling Commission lists Dabble's wagering licence as pending,
