Leisure company take over Winning Line Leisure company Crown Sports today purchased a 70 per cent stake in the British tipping service and racehorse ownership group The Winning Line. 'We now own 70 per cent of The Winning Line with the two Winning Line owner-managers - Stephen Winstanley and a quiet partner - holding the other 30 per cent,' said Martin Knight, deputy chairman of Crown Sports, a company which owns a string of golf courses and health centres around the world. 'We paid stg£2million for our stake and it will be a wonderful addition to our portfolio. 'We have 65,000 members in our clubs and many of them have a keen interest in racing. 'The Winning Line owns 23 horses and has a wonderful client base and has had great results in the past. 'The Winning Line`s expertise is highly regarded and now that expertise will be available to our members.' The Winning Line was started in 1993 by Stephen Winstanley. It provides racing and sports information to subscribers and the syndication and management of racehorses for clients. The tipping service`s white, yellow and black colours have been carried with distinction by the likes of top-class chaser Teeton Mill, General Wolfe and more recently by Montalcino, an impressive winner at Aintree last week. Jeff Chapman, chairman of Crown Sports, commented: 'We are looking to expand the service to Ireland, widening the service to place greater emphasis on Flat rather than National Hunt racing, setting up a sports betting service and installing a special City hot line.' It is believed the deal will not involve any change of personnel at The Winning Line, which will continue to function as previously.
