The Venue & Publicity You need a large room to allow an informal layout and to ensure people can move about easily, with access to the Tote and payout desk, bar, toilets, and fire exits. Remember the more guests (minimum about forty) the more profitable your event will be. We can supply Admission tickets and posters for your event. Projecting your event If you don't have access to a 16mm projection facility try your local school (or photographic outlet), or we can put you in touch with a local experienced operator, who will supply all the equipment you need and project the races at your event. The additional cost varies (e.g. £75 - £95). Alternatively we can supply videos, but of course unless a video projector is used the screen size is limited. Film is usually better than video and the larger image makes your event really special.
		Planning your Race Card Your "programme" lists all the races to be run and horses running in each race. Since the horses are identified by number only, it does not matter which film is chosen and which names are on the race card. More importantly it is a valuable source of income. Used properly it can cover the cost of your event and more in advance. First you can sell the race card on the evening for say 10p to £1 or include it with your admission fee. Second you can get local firms to sponsor each of the races, for say £10 or £15. They can have the race named after them e.g. Prestige Printers Cup. Third you can sell the horses to members. They become the "owners" and their name and choice of horse name are shown on the race card. If their horse wins the race they win a prize. If you can't sell them before the event, sell them on the night. You can also auction all of the runners in the last race with 50% going to your charity.
	We are happy to include any relevant artwork e.g. club logo on your race card. These race cards are included within the Standard Package. Setting up the Tote It is important to ensure the betting is handled simply. You need 2-4 sellers seated at a table. They will sell Tote tickets on each race. Each ticket seller can handle tickets for 2-4 horses (if you expect more than 250 people you should have 2 tables and 8 ticket sellers). There will be a separate payout table for the winning numbered horse. A percentage (usually around 30%) is taken of all the bets for your funds. The remainder is divided equally among those who bet on the winning horse. As soon as the race is over the payout dividend is announced and the lucky punters collect their winnings from the payout desk. Ensure you have an adequate cash float on the night.

How to run a successful event The operation of the evening is simple. Start by dimming the lights and running the Introductory Film supplied free of charge. It welcomes your guests and tells them how to bet. Open the Tote desk. Once all bets are placed on the first race, close the Tote and get a member of the Audience to pick a film at random. Break the seal, load the film, dim the lights and they're off! Excitement mounts as the audience cheer on their horses. While the race is on, the Tote payout clerk calculates the payout with our simple tabulator forms - again supplied free. Lights up, and the winners are paid out at the cash desk. Allow about ten to twenty minutes to pass, while betting takes place for the next race, lights down, and we're off again.