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My earliest memory, aged 5, was Red Alligator winning the ’68 National. I gradually became obsessed with jump racing (never flat), by 12 I’d developed my own handicap system. I’d watch any and all jump racing on TV, could name all the top chasers in training and what they’d won etc. My brother and I regularly turned the garden ( a large one) into a race track, complete with birch/fir fences, for our bikes. Hoarded all dad’s copies of sporting life after he’d finished with them (sadly he was flat racing only). My first winner, at a race track, was Proverb at Goodwood, I think I was 9 or 10 (dad’s friend put the bet on for me). Then came THE golden age of chasing, Red Rum, Captain Christy, The Dikler, L’Escargot etc. Totally hooked for life. I don’t bet, my father taught me it’s a mugs game unless you know people (which he did), except once a year I always had a flutter on the National and the Whitbread Gold Cup. Stopped doing that some time ago when the National just became a normal handicap race. I’m all for horse safety and care, but the National just isn’t the same race now, the thrill has gone.
My favourite horses - Red Rum, Spanish Steps, Proud Tarquin, Esban, Go-Pontinental, Barona, Charles Dickens, The Dikler, Astbury, Black Secret, Vulgan Town, Huperade, Well To Do, Crisp, Quintus, Argent, Colebridge, Pearl Of Montreal, Nereo, Sonny Somers, Tubs VI, Tartan Ace, Red Candle, L'Escargot, Bula, Beau Bob, Rouge Autumn, Rough Silk, Frodo, Deblin's Green, Prince Tino, Eyecatcher, The Pilgarlic, Captain Christy, Mr Midland, Interview II, Credit Call, My Virginian, Flush Of Diamonds, Scout, Money Ma
My claim to fame is that, age 9, I was bitten on the shoulder by Grey Sombrero !!!
My favourite horses - Red Rum, Spanish Steps, Proud Tarquin, Esban, Go-Pontinental, Barona, Charles Dickens, The Dikler, Astbury, Black Secret, Vulgan Town, Huperade, Well To Do, Crisp, Quintus, Argent, Colebridge, Pearl Of Montreal, Nereo, Sonny Somers, Tubs VI, Tartan Ace, Red Candle, L'Escargot, Bula, Beau Bob, Rouge Autumn, Rough Silk, Frodo, Deblin's Green, Prince Tino, Eyecatcher, The Pilgarlic, Captain Christy, Mr Midland, Interview II, Credit Call, My Virginian, Flush Of Diamonds, Scout, Money Ma
I was at Red Rums first National win.
Watching from The Chair, had backed Grey Sombrero who fell and was shot right there.I've stumbled on the side of twelve misty mountains
I've walked and I crawled on six crooked highwaysgamble will bumped this thread up in about 30 years time and a new poster will write
My dad took me to a race meeting 30 years ago when I was 10 years old. The horses were all really beautiful, then the racing started, I didn’t understand why the jockeys were wearing the same coloured silks, my dad explained its called a racing league. I knew about leagues because of football so asked dad if I could view the league table. It made on sense whatsoever. A national side Scotland had only had 3 runners whilst a team called Wales and West had 33 runs. I didn’t understand that. I spent my £30 pocket money on a race card a hot dog, chips and a can of fizzy pop. Dad said the racing was fixed because the 3/1 fav came last.
I never saw a horse again until the 2052 Cheltenham festival, a friend invited me to day 7 the Saturday Gold Cup. I wasn’t keen because of the rubbish experience I had encountered with the racing league. However It was an amazing atmosphere with everyone getting drunk and the races were much better than I imagined. The Gold Cup itself was breathtaking I put my money on the underdog trained by Rossa Ryan. A horse called “Quite Unique” my friend and what seemed like the whole of Cheltenham had backed “Nodegreesofuniqueness” the favourite. anyway as we all know Quite Unique destroyed the field and I’ve been hooked every since.
Charles Darwin to conquer the World
Shouldn’t this thread be in the Horse Racing section?
Would get a lot more views and posts.Value Is EverythingGreat post Nafsasp.
Will comment further later, but I feel the Grey Sombrero bite story needs expanding on if you are able to relive the trauma!
Before “Racing”, as a 7 year old I was first interested in horses. I learned to ride until they put me on a giant thoroughbred. Was then and still am terrified if getting more than 4 ft off the ground. Loved watching the horses on telly. Show jumping (Harvey Smith, David Broome, Caroline Bradley etc), 3 day eventing, even dressage. But BBC and ITV 7 were my favourite. Saw Red Rum win the Grand National, as so many people he was my favourite horse… And I was so enthusiastic about Racing. My grandfather – who came to visit on Grand National day – and had a passing (twice a year) interest in Racing – organised a family sweepstake. Whoever picked the horse that finished closest to winning would take the pot. Anyway I picked Red Rum.
When Red Rum finished second I was smiling knowing nobody had picked “Rag Trade”. So I picked up the winning pile of coins. Then came the result up on the screen, “first number 6 Rag Trade”. My Nan had refused to pick anything “racing is a mugs game” she’d regularly say… up until they were at the post and then she relented – only by picking her favourite number; yep you guessed it number 6. With my ginger red and sad face I handed the 10p pieces over to my Nan. I knew the winnings were going to be spent on us kids but it still hurt.
Next year we did the sweepstake again and I had Red Rum again. Told everyone at my junior school who’d listen that Red Rum was going to win the Grand National again. However, early on the second circuit I was having second thoughts. Dad’s Andy Pandy 10+ lengths clear only to fall at Beechers. From then the only dangers were loose horses. This time there was no stewards enquirey in the 9 Kinver Close household and I couldn’t wait to claim my prize.
…A gambler was born.
My mother tried to change this by giving me a book to record who I’d back, stake, odds, etc… expecting a clear loss. But by some miracle I made a profit for two years and that actually encouraged my interest.
When at senior school – because my Dad wouldn’t – I used to give some money to my friend whose Dad bets. Thanks to Calvin Day and his dad I had Little Owl in the Cheltenham Gold Cup, Fairy Footsteps 1000 and To-Agori-Mou 2000, seemed I barely had a loser. Then – before I even knew about percentages – I became the school bookmaker for the Grand National…
…Until Mr Roughead shouted “Chapman will you stay behind after the bell”! I was in big trouble and when we were alone…
“I hear you’re doing a book on the Grand National”.
“Yes Sir”
“Can I have 50p on Rough And Tumble at 14/1”?
“Yyyyes Sir”.
Somehow (I can admit now) i’d missed out Aldaniti completely in my runners and riders and kept the lot.
However, the following couple of years cost me, offering a bigger price than bookmakers for Grittar… And picked (then my only selection) Corbiere but couldn’t get my money on!Always been a great fan of the Grand National but (unlike Nafsasp) I’ve been for all the different changes made to the fences – for the horse’s sake. Although it’s not as much of an advantage, the good jumpers still have a better chance. The vast majority of backers don’t understand the right amount of stamina required and going preferences, let alone temperament or handicap marks. Considering there’s excellent value to be had, over the years I’ve found it’s the easiest race to make a profit on.
At 18 I opened a deposit telephone account with my local “Sovereign” bookmaker. My first two bets both won, Prince Sabo in the Scarborough and Commanche Court in the Leger. Two months later and the bookie had suddenly shut up shop and done a runner, Truth to tell my £200 was almost all lost by then anyway.
I then just had a few occasional bets, some ante-post.
Had £50 (not an insignificant sum for a 1985 trainee Carpet Fitter) on Oh So Sharp @ 5/2 for the 1000 Guineas. Watching the race today I still can’t believe she got up on the line in a finish of short heads.
I’d been looking for a Derby bet. I had a soft spot for the Lord Howard De Walden apricot colours and the previous year I’d seen a filly called Sandy Island win the Lancashire Oaks. By Derby winner Mill Reef out of Sayonara. When her close relation (by Mill Reef’s Derby winning son Shirley Heights) won a race on the same day as Oh So Sharp and – as far as I could make out – in a faster time… Bred to win a Derby; with the 1000 winnings I had £25 each way on Slip Anchor @ 16/1, shortly before he won the Lingfield Trial. I was very confident and come Derby Day he was 9/4 fav. Around Tattenham Corner it’s a one horse race as he went further and further clear.That year I put more money into the Building Society than I earnt in wages; bought my first of many Timeform form books. An extremely important moment in my life. Realising I had a lot to learn and making a profit on betting became my primary focus. Never looked back.
A Racing fanatic and serious bettor was born which later became my job.
At 18 I thought wrongly that I knew everything about Racing.
Now of course I know I know everything.
Value Is Everything“When at senior school – because my Dad wouldn’t – I used to give some money to my friend whose Dad bets. Little Owl in the Cheltenham Gold Cup, Fairy Footsteps 1000 and To-Agori-Mou 2000, I barely had a loser.”
Seems like you broke the law here Ginge.
Don’t worry, I phoned the police and they said you can pay it all back at once, less hassle
inflation will be a bit of kick in the nuts ehReally enjoy these old stories…
Charles Darwin to conquer the World
I’ve told the story many times here and elsewhere, but to summarise: 1974 Grand National Day, I’m 11, seeking sanctuary from my 7yo sister’s birthday party, lock myself in the front room, second circuit of the Grand National is on the telly, see Red Rum hailed a dual winner, become a cross country runner, get home knackered Saturday lunchtimes after races and find myself identifying with jump racing – April Seventh Hennessy (saw the Whitbread win in the spring too) stands out, racing-mad Maths teacher fed my interest, family moved from Sheffield to Hull, persuaded my Dad to take me to Beverley races April 1977, hooked, the rest is history.
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It's the "Millwall FC" of Point broadcasts: "No One Likes Us - We Don't Care"Well, I was reliably informed at the time that was the horse’s name. My father knew a lot of trainers and jockeys in those days (he bought our house with winnings!), and as a family we would holiday staying on farms or near stables. On this occasion we’d stayed somewhere, can’t remember where, but it was owned by a Mr & Mrs Sipthorpe, who I was told “summered” jump horses. They had a field with various horses, and even at the age of 9 I could tell these weren’t pony club hacks, they were big muscley animals, looked liked the ones I watched on TV. Their daughter took me to see them, and I was stroking the face of this grey horse when it decided my shoulder obviously looked like a sugar cube. I am basing my anecdote, admittedly on information given to a 9 year old by adults, but my father’s racing connections, and the look of the horses, I have never really had reason to doubt it. Have occasionally thought about doing some research but never got round to it. I’m not sure if David Gandolfo is still with us, I think he moved to Somerset when he retired, but he’d be the one to tell me. Maybe this is incentive enough to make some enquiries. If anyone has information about Mr Gandolfo’s status or whereabouts, let me know.
My favourite horses - Red Rum, Spanish Steps, Proud Tarquin, Esban, Go-Pontinental, Barona, Charles Dickens, The Dikler, Astbury, Black Secret, Vulgan Town, Huperade, Well To Do, Crisp, Quintus, Argent, Colebridge, Pearl Of Montreal, Nereo, Sonny Somers, Tubs VI, Tartan Ace, Red Candle, L'Escargot, Bula, Beau Bob, Rouge Autumn, Rough Silk, Frodo, Deblin's Green, Prince Tino, Eyecatcher, The Pilgarlic, Captain Christy, Mr Midland, Interview II, Credit Call, My Virginian, Flush Of Diamonds, Scout, Money Ma
Not as far back as some but a mate at work who I now realise was a hopeless punter convinced me High Estate would win the Derby. He further convinced me to go halves on a £20 win ante-post on it, this all sounded good until he was stuffed in the Predominate. I still have the Mecca slip somewhere and was my first and last ante-post but it got me into racing.
The more I know the less I understand.
Ginger broke the bank with that one – enjoyed reading it with gusto. Enjoyed all of them actually !
Look Gnats this thread and all other Freds are not gonna be around in 30 years time.
Mark my words !!!
I must confess to being mildly disappointed no exclusive Lounge habituee responded: “if I ever get interested in racing, I’ll be sure to let you know how this miracle occurred.”
But it seems even those who seldom, or even never, talk about racing here do have affection for it on some level.
I am "The Horse Racing Punter" on Facebook
https://mobile.twitter.com/Ian_Davies_
https://www.facebook.com/ThePointtoPointNHandFlatracingpunter/
It's the "Millwall FC" of Point broadcasts: "No One Likes Us - We Don't Care"Very philosophical Chezza?
I've stumbled on the side of twelve misty mountains
I've walked and I crawled on six crooked highways
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