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There have been many high profile gamblers in racing history.
But who are the greatest of them all?
You have to go back to the 19th Century for the really monumental gamblers. Colonel Mellish, Lord George Bentinck and the Marquis of Hastings won and lost sums that by today’s standards would be astronomical. Wagers then had to be paid by settling day, so there were no lines of credit.
Today’s big hitters would be small fry in comparison.Pittsburg Phil
Good question, think you have to go across the other side of the world to find the real pro’s however, Zeljko Ranogajec would be top of the pile I’m sure, Benter/Woods were first with their foot in the door and different class. Imagine there are quite a few operations like theirs now in Hong Kong and areas, though believe Woods has passed away.
Patrick veitch is the best horse racing gambler, read his book, he made millions.
Just googled that Zelijo Ranogajec bloke, he certainly is a big time gambler.
Pittsburg Phil. He died with a fortune of over $3.25 million, the equivalent of $80 million today.
His book of Maxims and Methods is posted online here http://colinsghost.org/2010/05/racing-m … -1908.html*not to be confused with the infamous mob boss Harry Strauss aka Pittsburgh Phil (with an h)
Alan Woods
http://www.tonywilson.com.au/writing/alanwoods.php
Bill Benter
http://www.pokerplayer.co.uk/sports-bet … cates.html
These guys are computer programmers and mathmaticians as opposed to punters. The results I don’t think can be denied – nice work if you can get it. Reputedly made 100s of millions.
Benter now a visiting professor at Southampton university. They made their dollars in Hong Kong where I think this kind of approach is more relevant than here. ie 1 track, small pool of horses, more rigid, pool style betting. The original Hong Kong betting syndicate.
Fascinating lectures by Benter on YouTube on gambling/chance/expectation etc even if you don’t buy into the whole computerised heavy mathmatical approach.
Having read Miss Woodford’s link to Pitsburg Phil…..100 years ahead of his time and gets my vote! A genius, a maverick, a true leader not a follower. Thanks Miss Woodford – one of the most useful and interesting links I’ve read.
Colonel Mellish rode into enemy fire for the sake of a £5 wager in the Peninsula War, now that was a REAL gamble!
Alan Woods that I know of. Left the likes of McManus and Curley and all the other inside information so called punting legends in his wake imo.
Glad I started this – my favourite thread in years.
There is something both intrinsically romantic but also life-affirming about the guy who (preferably starting with nothing) successfully takes on the system and wins – be it mathematical, psychological or plain and simple insider trading!
It isn’t just about winning David. therein lies the true romanticism. Though I’m sure those that think they can take their money with them would disagree!
Brilliant thread. We all know there is more than one way to ‘skin the cat’ all equally valid – the game accomodates anyone who loves it enough to put the pre-requisite amount of energy into it. Anyone who manages success in it deserves the utmost respect. This game, the game we all love, is the ultimate challenge of guile, skill, temperament, grace, modesty, intelligence (sadly lacking in sufficient quantities in myself I hasten to add) etc etc…this thread has already given examples of all of the above and has the potential to be the best learning tool on the entire forum. Brilliant.
I spent time working for a hedging service in Newmarket – supposed shrewdies – part of a network of agents that saw smart money. If any bet went down – in their eyes – the race was automatically bent. I left, almost embarrassed for thinking you could make a living with hard work and belief and not pandering to the conspiracy theories. This thread proves all of that to be nothing more than a mask that people hide behind. HARD WORK PAYS in whichever direction you choose to take it. All of these people had a work ethic second to none.
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