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You have to laugh at these sorts of stores don’t you even when you’re on the losing end of them, otherwise we’d all be depressed by now. Maybe those that love betting are just those who are better at taking losses, either way these stories always make me chuckle to myself and to me it’s better to have good memory that makes me smile than winning a few hundred or a couple of grand as that money would have been spent long ago.
It’s nice to share these tales from the past both good and bad.
Looking back i followed some really good horses but without a doubt the most memorable wasLochsong
This is a good betting tale from 1992.
I used to back horses that were shown on CH4 and normally did a small E/W yankee with the odd £10 bet now and again. It was at York when she first caught my eye winning a handicap with W.Carson riding. No idea why but i decided to follow her after that.
In those days you had to check teletext to find prices for future races. Anyway, i saw her for Royal Ascot and had an Ante Post bet and she got placed. Did the same again at Goodwood, Doncaster and Ayr which she won. I remember to the day the bet placed at Goodwood on one slip £10 E/W Lochsong Stewards Cup 20/1, £20 win Little Bean 12/1 Golden Mile and £5 E/W Double
At this time i met a guy who was best pals with someone i knew and he owned a horse called Mistertoppogigio, the owner was an Italian guy called Giovanni. We always followed his horse but he never won, then he won at a big price at Epsom and we never backed him.
A little while later we met up and he was going on about him having a good chance in the Gosforth Park Cup at Newcastle a couple of weeks later which he won. A few days later he brought the trophy down to show us, what a size it was
The next year Lochsong became Europe’s top sprinter, then the year after it was announced she would run her last race in Europe, so i decided to go and see her run in Paris on Arc day. Beforehand i put £400 @ 5/4 for her to win the L’abbeye, never done it before, never have after and never will again.
I was sat in the stands and you had to watch the race on the big screen, she flew home to beat my pals horse Mistertoppogio into second place. Dettori brought her round to stop in front of the crowd and the whole stand erupted. Wish i took my camera that day, will never forget it. It was an exciting day for a young 24 year old in Paris on his own.
Biggest loser had 4 folds from 8 small stakes i think the bet cost about £10.. four or five horses came in quite good odds i had a Richard Fahey Handicapper With PH on-board i was literally spending my 8k return when his 4th string nabbed him on the line at 40/1 i was sick as a pig
Best Win Rekindling in the Melbourne cup i was backing him for about 4 weeks antipost just the odd £10 here £10 there if i won a bet i would put some of the winnings on him Turns out i won £3500 the most ive ever won on anything
I am doing the same now with Chelsea Lad for the Lincoln
@NathanHughes
Funnily enough Nath, my hard luck story on the football involves Liverpool and Gretna as well.I won a decent amount off of only the second coupon I ever put on, but that had run on overnight to the Sunday from the Saturday, and I swore I would never have a restless night like that again, and would always have a separate line for just the Saturday bets from then on in.
Autumn 2007. One of those daft weekend lines, and I fancy 14 teams (yeah I know), 11 on the Saturday, 3 on the Sunday. Small stakes, bit of fun, same as thousands do every weekend. All eleven win on the Saturday, and I bag around £770, chuffed to bits, and on to the Sunday now, and I just need Arsenal, lunchtime kick off, and Celtic and Liverpool, who are kicking off at the same time, to net me just over 8k.
Arsenal, home to Sunderland, are getting beat 2-1 into the second half, and I realise now, that’s it, games up, fun while it lasted. Arsenal come back though, and nip it late on to win 3-2.
Pressure now on, and to make matters worse, I’m out drinking with my mates, and they know about the bet.
Gretna vs Celtic
Liverpool vs SpursNow, I’m out drinking in Hamilton, and Gretna, who are newly promoted, are playing their homes games at Fir Park, in Motherwell. For those that don’t know, Motherwell and Hamilton are right next to each other. When I go outside the pub, I can hear the crowd. I want to drag my ass over there, and be the twelfth man. I’m close to 8k here, and totally bricking it.
It doesn’t go well, Liverpool ain’t winning, and Celtic, even more surprsingly are getting beat.
Couple of minutes from time, with Spurs and Gretna both winning, I take it on the chin, at least both let me down, not just the one. I can handle that. I can handle that, until Chris f’cking Killen equalises for Celtic, and shock horror, they go on to score a late winner. I can hear the crowd celebrating. I’m gutted, as Liverpool are getting beat. Oh well, at least Liverpool got beat, and they were never in contention. Final score at Anfield, 2-2, thanks to an injury time equaliser from Fernando Torres.
I invented some new swear words that afternoon.
HORSES
I had this wretched run of “luck” I had in the 2012/2013 season…..
November 2012, it’s The Cork National, and I’m all over Outlaw Pete @ 33’s ew, and much, MUCH bigger prices on the exchanges. He’s absolutely cantering coming to the last, he’s all over the horse he’s upsides, an absolute certainty…….and he runs out. 4 figures down the drain, and I am beyond gutted.
Antepost betting obviously carries it’s own risk’s, but the 2013 Gold Cup nearly finished me off. I had Katenko to win about 32k, and the plan was to lay off for about 1k @ 12’s, but unfortunately he got Colic the week before, and that was that. Was devastated, he would have routed them in that years GC, they wouldn’t have got near him, and it was a hard one to take. I consoled myself though with having £18 on Sunnyhill Boy @ 1000’s, and I thought he had a squeak. Stupidly told the guys at work about my bet, and excitement was building. Unfortunately though, Davie Russell got injured, leaving the fancied Sir Des Champs without a jockey. This leaves AP free to ride Sir Des Champs, but for already being booked for Sunnyhill Boy. What followed was indefensible, and put racing in a very poor light indeed. Sunnyhill Boy, shock horror, had an “unsatisfactory scope” on the morning of the race, leaving AP free to take the ride on SDC. Very very poor stuff all round, and it left a rotten taste in the mouth, but I at least knew it was coming, and told everybody at work that Sunnyhill Boy would 100% be pulled from the race with a “mystery injury”. I still get people asking me why I knew it would be pulled, and I just tell them that’s the way the game works. I’m over it now, and that’s the risks you take being an avid JP follower haha. I did try to console myself that if Sunnyhill was in with a chance, then AP wouldn’t have been desperate to jump ship, but in that 2012-14 period of poor quality Gold Cups, then I reckon he still had a decent chance.
That Gold Cup just passed me by then, I was gutted, but very keen on one in the next in The Foxhunter, so brushed myself off, and had a good go at Oscar Delta @ 28’s. When he jumped the last clear, that bad luck was quickly forgotten, I was going mad, jumping about like a man demented, what a feeling, and I felt I deserved a wee change of luck. What could possibly go wrong????? You can’t make this sh1t up.
Was very glad to see the back of that Festival, and the season was turning into a very disappointing one.
After the Festival, I had a few in the notebook, and I had marked one down to follow, who looked as if he was just been out for a stroll on The Tuesday in the Novices Hcap……..not easy to spot one like this at The Festival. There can’t be many there just for the day out, but Nataani looked one to keep on side of next time. Cue Taunton a week and a half later, and I piled in at 20’s and 25’s in the morning, he gets well gambled…………..my lucks changed, and he’s 10-15 length clear, and going further ahead at the last with the race in the bag. What Happened Next?
All of those events, in the space of a few months, cost me a hefty amount, and although I still contributed on here, and chipped away with the bets, I just wanted to chuck it altogether, I was sickened.
I’m glad I kept going, but that was a torrid spell.
The following horse tales, are a straight lift from another thread on here, of a similar theme……….
I’ve hit the crossbar several times in the last year and a bit. I always do an Acca with my Lucky 15, 31 selctions, and had a few times, where one horse has let me down.
Pass Muster – March 2013. The only horse in a Lucky 15, Acca to let me down. A very dubious ride, and it got it’s own thread on Betfair. Cost me about £7000. Made sure I bet him next time, and he, surprise surprise, hacked up at 7’s, sadly I didn’t quite win the 7k on him this time.
First Avenue – April 2014. Waiting on him for £9900, as the last leg in my Acca, but never threatened, and well beaten. Got some consolation that summer, betting him at huge odds on Betfair, and he won at 20’s and 25’s, putting the smile back on my face.
Maccabees – January 2015. Again, last leg of a Lucky 31, and never in contention at Plumpton. Cost me roughly £14000
Udododontu – Royal Ascot 2015, Lucky 31. Had Udodontu at 40’s, and he went agonisingly close, finishing second. Cost me pennies short of £10,000.
Going back a few years, 3 photo finishes in 2011 left me a “tad” upset.
Cheltenham – I’m normally a 10p stake Lucky 15 backer, but on the Friday, I did a 50p win, and £3 Acc on (rough prices) Zarkandar in The Triumph 8’s, Bobs Worth in The Albert Bartlett 3’s, Long Run Gold Cup 9-2, and finally……….Get Me Out Of Here in The County 16’s. The other 3 won, and GMOOH was beaten “a nose”, costing me over £10,000. That GMOOH, at the very least, clearly dead heated, did not help my mood. I still reckon he won, and as I said the other day, it was pretty clear that they drew the winner out of a hat.
Aintree October Meeting – The Cockney Mackem also gets beaten a nose in a photo, the only horse to let me down in a Lucky 31, costing me £7,700.
Cambridgeshire – Bet Prince of Johanne at 50’s, and much bigger on BF, and also had Stevie Thunder for the exacta, and I had a very nice return, about 2k. There was a sting in the tail though. I also had Nanton, and another horse for the Trifectas. Nanton was beaten a nose into 4th, costing me a serious return.
1st – Prince of Johanne 40’s
2nd – Stevie Thunder 25’s
4th by a nose – Nanton 33’sThe Tricast paid 13k, The Trifecta was not won, I still think about this one a lot. Had mixed feeling about including this one, having won 2K, but to get a Trifecta like that up, in a race like that, would have been something to dine out on for a good while.
Other tales of woe…..
2014 Grand National. Was very pleased with myself, having managed to identify Double Seven, as the most likely JP candidate for Aintree, from his huge team on candidates, way back in Aug/Sep 2013. Bet him at huge odds during the winter up to 350’s, and stood to win £17,000. Sadly, the very late rain put paid to his chances, but he still ran a cracker to finish 3rd. Consoled myself with a decent lay in running at low odds. Decided after that, never to bet a horse for that amount in The National again. It’s the Biggest race of the year, and sweating during it, deciding when to lay, when I should be enjoying the race, is an experience I don’t want to repeat. Nerve wracking.
2012 Grand National – Seabass. Another I’d highlighted early doors, and was betting him with firms long before he was added to any markets. Sadly, didn’t quite get home, and beaten fair and square. Had the consolation of laying him off in running, and also having bet Neptune Collonges, so not all bad, but if he had got home, even after laying off, I’d have won about £12,000. The best chaser in training that year, by some distance, and why they didn’t enter him in The Gold Cup that year, or at least supplement him, remains something of a mystery, baffling.
I’ve told this story many times before about the WPM trained, On His Own. In 2013, he didn’t get a Gold Cup entry, but I’d already had £29 on him at 1000’s, as I was convinced he was a Gold Cup horse (certainly in that weak era), and was sure they’d supplement him. They didn’t.
Cue the following year, and I added him to the market myself, but some other bugger snaffled most of the 1000’s, and I only managed £1.70 on him at 1000’s, but yet again they didn’t enter him. Common sense kicked in this time though, and they did supplement him, and I was “quietly confident”.
I actually had £20 on Lord Windermere at 33’s as well, but obviously I wanted On His Own to get the race. The most galling thing about it is that in real time, as it happened, it was quite clear that LW stopped him, and I was convinced he’d be awarded the race. Then I started fannying about on The Exchanges with the stewards enquiry outcome, and my winning totals were going up and down like a yo-yo………..I was a gibbering mess by the end of it lol
PS, I realise that a few of those stories cover some decent wins as well, and not meaning to aftertime, but I think all relevant, and the majority of the horses were mentioned on here beforhand. Promise.
Follyhoog – that tenner here, tenner there tactic is exactly what I did with One For Arthur through last season. If he’d have got injured at Christmas or something, I’d have been gutted but would’ve known at least I didn’t put everything on prior to the injury.
I’m doing the same thing on September for the Oaks. Took the 33s before she bolted up in the Chesham and have been adding to her slowly but surely ever since. She will be a big winner for me if she does it.
Some great reads,those heartache ones take some getting over.
Back to early/mid nineties,before mobiles and exchanges.Cheltenham was a yearly pilgrimage for myself and a good friend,my parents live in Oxford,we used to do first two days/all three some years.
This particular year he had just started a new job,money was tight,so he came up for the tuesday,but had to work on the wednesday,sacrilege but no choice.I was home by early hours of the thursday.That morning the phone goes,not only did my mate have to work wednesday,thursday was now gone,any chance I can put his bets on?I can hear the pages of the racing post turn,said beasts are chosen,and the obligatory placepot numbers forwarded.
Couple hours later,all bets on,around £70 quid outlay for my mate,inc the £6.40 placepot,2 in each leg.Telephone goes after 4th race,mates looking for update on his horses,no winners but I tell him he’s still in the pot with two difficult legs to come.
He gets in the 5th leg with winner,but I look at his selections in the 6th leg,and I do not share his confidence.These were the days when ITV went off after first 4 races,I remember listening to the last leg on the radio.The pot was paying decent already,not only does he get in the last leg,he doubles up on two decent price placed horses.
The jammy so and so has a decent placepot up,no outlay,no study,totally unaware.That evening update request, as soon as he gets home,”one winner……..and your in the pot”.Running commentary given of how the last leg panned out,then the inevitable “whats it paying?”
“Just under £3,000 I reel off”…..so around £600 for his £6.40 outlay.Despite him having to work on the Friday,he reckons he can make it to my house,the bookies,and back, in his lunch hour,happy days.
Arrives bang on ETA, military style,I have his bets in an envelope,including the tote copy of his placpot.No time for pleasantries as he’s in a rush,handshakes and a final bit of advice from me as he jumps in the car,”just in case they get it wrong,I have written the exact amount on the back of the ticket”.
Cheers mate comes the reply,off he goes.Around 6-00pm that evening theres a knock at the door,that horrible friday feeling after the Fez just sinking In.There stands my mate,two bottles Moet,a huge bunch flowers for mrs Nap,and an envelope.
No time to stop as he has plans,we arrange to meet up over the weekend,he’s trying not to say too much as mrs Nap has never really been privvy to our betting,if you know what I mean.
Once inside the question came straight away…..”Whats in the envelope”…….Not sure I replied,lets see.
Inside was 6 shiny £50 notes and a note…….all the note said was “10%…..as always”.Our unwritten rule at the track was if either of us won,we always gave 10% over to each other.
What I had not told him…..he also doubled up on legs 1 and 3 of the pot,giving him 80p, around £2,500.
As I always say to him now,all these years later………You Never Asked
There was an old fart who used to come into my shop and one year he had been given bets to put on in the Epsom Derby for some old ladies. All told there was £8 staked on Terimon but instead of a £1 E/W four times, he had staked them all clearly marked as £2 wins on the betting slip.
When he realised his balls up he expected us to pay them as each-ways, claiming that we were cheating “Old dears” out of money. He even claimed he would only have wanted half the winnings had Terimon won.
I told him to pay the ladies with his own money if he felt so bad about it.
It makes you laugh how punters put their own spin on the rules, with one woman who had put 5 selections in a yankee and was 100% sure the rule was that only the first four on the slip count. Needless to say the first four won and the fifth lost. Moaned forever about us cheating her by apportioning the stake to cover the 26 bets of a super yankee with 15 losing lines.
Thanks for the good crack. Time for me to move on. Be lucky.
It makes you laugh how punters put their own spin on the rules
lol don’t even get me started. Saw my fair share of punter interpretation of the rules. Oddly, we were always trying to fiddle them. Nothing to do with their own stupidity or ignorance of rules. Often people who have been punting for donkey’s years too.
Had one guy insist he’d bet on the Golden Boot winner in a tournament when he’d actually bet on top goalscorer (because, you know, that’s what we offered odds on). FIFA/UEFA/whoever gave the GB award to whoever had most assists in the event of a tie but for betting purposes it’s a DH. There were three or four dead heated for top scorer but of course the one this guy bet on got the GB so he thought he should be paid in full. Question is would he have thought he had a loser if he’d bet on one of the other DH players? I’m going 1/100 ‘no’.
My biggest win was about 4 years ago now and it came about through good fortune rather than judgement. Splash Of Ginge, trained by Nigel Twiston-Davies, was running in a Group 3 handicap at Newbury. Earlier in the day I spoke to my uncle who is really into horse racing and he said ‘There is a tip floating about, something ginger, it’s a big price but a few people are talking about it. I’ll text you the name and race time later on.’
I didn’t think much of it, you hear a lot about tips and touches all the time. That afternoon I went into my bookies to put my usual Saturday afternoon football bets on (I don’t like betting football online) and people were indeed talking about this same horse. I put my football bets on and had a rush to the head, I put a tenner on it straight up and £15 ew. I don’t know why, and I suppose that is why I remember it so much.
Closer to race time the price hadn’t moved much from 33-1, it came in to 25s briefly and out to 40s but went off at 33-1. On my online account I had a couple of free bet vouchers that I hadn’t used up and I placed them on Splash of Ginge, I think one was for a fiver and one for a tenner.
I remember watching the race live, it was on Channel 4 at the time and it was up near the pace. It didn’t jump particularly fluently and I thought the pacesetters would fade as the conditions were pretty bottomless. Somehow it held on by about a length as at least one horse looked like collaring it at the line, and me and my Mum and Dad laughed in bemusement as it crossed the line in front. They had a couple of bob on it as well.
Later on I went to collect my winnings and the manager in the bookies who I know outside of there said that they had been completely wiped out and I remember her words of ‘The whole ******* town has had money on it.’
Someone knew something. I wasn’t complaining, a random tip ended up netting me close to 2 and half grand back. Suffice to say, I’ve not came close to winning near that since.
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