Robbie Waterhouse
Robert "Robbie" Waterhouse is an Australian racing identity, businessman, form specialist, punter and considered Australia's best known bookmaker. Waterhouse is the son of Bill Waterhouse, he is married to thoroughbred horse trainer Gai Waterhouse, and is the father of bookmaker, Tom Waterhouse.
Robbie Waterhouse | |
|---|---|
| Born | Robert Waterhouse |
| Nationality | Australian |
| Occupation | Bookmaker |
| Spouse(s) | Gai Waterhouse |
| Children | Tom Waterhouse |
| Parent(s) | Bill Waterhouse |
| Relatives | Louise Waterhouse (sister) |
Career
Waterhouse is a high-profile bookmaker who followed in the traditions of his father, Bill Waterhouse, a leading Sydney bookmaker[1] and barrister. Rob Waterhouse first became a licensed bookmaker in 1972 and has worked in all codes: thoroughbreds; jumping; trotting; pacing, greyhounds; greyhound coursing and quarter horse racing. Following a 17 year break from bookmaking due to the fallout from betting in the Fine Cotton Affair, he returned to the track in 2001 as a result of lobbying within the media and the racing industry.
He is currently licensed to field in NSW, Victoria, QLD, NT, Tasmania and the United Kingdom. Rob Waterhouse is also the only bookmaker since 1910 to be licensed to field in NZ (which normally only allows totalisator betting) - when he fielded to much fanfare during the Waikato Racing Carnival at Te Rapa on 2 February 2002.
Fine Cotton affair
Both Bill and Robbie Waterhouse were caught up in the aftermath of the Fine Cotton affair.[2] Robbie Waterhouse served eight months periodic detention in Long Bay Correctional Centre for lying to the Racing Appeals Tribunal[3] and both Bill and Robbie Waterhouse were warned-off racecourses for having prior knowledge of a ring-in being installed in a race.[4] Robbie Waterhouse was disqualified for life from holding a bookmaker's licence and "warned-off" Australian and other racecourses. The ban was lifted in August 2001 and he then successfully re-applied for a licence.[1]
Business interests
Waterhouse is a company director and owned shares in companies associated with Tom Waterhouse NT, a company licensed as a bookmaker in the Northern Territory, operated by Waterhouse's son, Tom, and Robbie Waterhouse's sister, Louise Raedler Waterhouse.[5] The business was sold to British bookmaker William Hill in 2013.
See also
References
- Reed, Ron (13 October 2012). "Robbie Waterhouse on family and the fallout from Fine Cotton". Herald Sun. Retrieved 12 May 2013.
- "Episode five: Follow the Money" (transcript). The Track. ABC TV. 2000. Retrieved 9 May 2013.
- Feneley, Rick (27 November 2010). "The Waterhouse colt who was cut out from the racing clan". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 17 September 2017.
- Davis, Glenn (15 August 2004). "Remembering Fine Cotton". Racing and Sports. AAP. Retrieved 11 May 2013.
- Butler, Ben (29 April 2013). "Robbie Waterhouse owns stake in son's company". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 16 May 2013.
Further reading
- Ellicott, John (2008). Waterhouse & Smith: The Rise To Power Of Two Racing Dynasties (hardback). Prahran, Vic.: Hardie Grant Books. p. 303. ISBN 9781740665100.