7 Brocklesby Conditions Stakes Winners You Will Never Forget

The Brocklesby Stakes heralds the start of the Flat turf season.

Are you ready for the Brocklesby Stakes 2025?

Last year saw Zminiature win at odds of 16/1 for trainer Dylan Cunha. To be fait, it wasn't a vintage race after he ran well in the National Stakes (Listed) race at Sandown. Thereafter, ran poorly. The rest of the Brocklesby field didn't show a great amount with a few horses picking up a win but by recent standards a limited field. 

2022 winner Persian Force, trained by Richard Hannon, in the ownership of Amo Racing Limited, proved one of the most talented winners, matching the level of those detailed below. An effortless 4 3/4L victory so this son of Mehmas go on to win the July Stakes (Group 2) at Newmarket, runner-up in the Phoenix Stakes (Group 1), and respectable fourth in the Breeders' Cup juvenile Turf Sprint. Upon concluding his racing career, at two, he was retired to be a stallion at Tally Ho Stud for a fee of 10,000 (Euros). An exceptional talent putting the Brocklesby back on the map. 

It's worth noting that three Brocklesby Stakes winners have gone on the be noted sires including Mind Games (1994), The Last Lion (2016) & Persian Force (2022).    

2021 saw an impressive win in Chipotle, trained by Eve Johnson-Houghton, racing in the familiar silks of The Woodway 20 Syndicate. This son of Havana Gold put the Brocklesby Stakes back on the map with an outstanding season, with total earnings of £139,714. Four wins from nine starts at two, achieving an official rating of 101. Standout performances include: 2021 Brocklesby Stakes, Windsor Castle Stakes (Listed race) & Two-Year-Old Trophy at Redcar (Listed race). This bay gelding even dipped his hoof into Group 1 class when contesting the Nunthorpe Stakes. 

An truly exceptional horse who should progress as a three-year-old.    

Not bad for a foal that cost just 4,500 guineas and sold at the Tattersalls Horses-in-Training Sale 2021 (October, 2yo) for 210,000g to Nadj Stud & Ross Doyle Bloodstock.  

The 2021 Brocklesby Stakes saw other winners including: Wonderful World, Makalu, Vintage Clarets, Blackhill Storm & Dashing Rat went close with two runner-up positions.  

Take a look at these past winners. 

This race has a long history dating back to 1849 as an all-age 12-furlong race at Carholme racecourse, Lincolnshire, which closed in 1964. 

The Brocklesby Stakes has been dedicated to two-year-old racing over five furlongs since 1875.

It moved to Doncaster in 1965. 

Historically, the best horse to win the Brocklesby Stakes was Donovan (1888) who went on to win the Derby and St Leger (1889). 

One horse that readers may remember fondly is Provideo, trained by Bill O'Gorman, who was a class handler of speedy thoroughbreds. A brown son of Godswalk, he won the Brocklesby Stakes by four lengths in 1984. This exceptionally durable colt set a 20th-century record for a British-trained two-year-old winning 16 of his 24 races. O'Gorman placed this horse to perfection considering Timeform rated him 20lbs below the best juveniles racing that year. However, Provideo still secured victories in two Listed races. In addition, he was crowned British Horse of the Year (1984) & Timeform Horse of the Year (1984). 

Exceptional.   

For many punters, the idea of betting on a debutante in a field of horses making their racecourse bow is a minefield. To be fair, I'm not keen wagering two-year-olds on their first day at school. It can be a tricky time. The combination of inexperienced horses, a draw bias in a large field and possibly testing ground doesn't add to confidence. However, only a handful of winners have been double-figure odds.

The Brocklesby Stakes is a significant race. If you need proof, there have been a number of talented juveniles winning this contest for horse trainers large and small.

Would I bet on a horse in this race?

Probably not. 

Denham Green won the Brocklesby Stakes back in 1988. Price at odds of 25/1, Steve Muldoon's two-year-old beat eleven rivals by two lengths. He is the joint longest odds winner in modern-day history. The other horse being the 2003 winner Red Power, trained by Paul Blockley. 

A number of very classy horses have started their career over this flying five furlongs at Doncaster.

Let's take a look at 7 Brocklesby Stakes Winners You Will Never Forget: 

1994 - Mind Games, trained by Jack Berry, who won by a neck at odds of 4/1. A talented colt who won at Group 2, but never could get his head in front for a Group 1 victory which he attempted 8 times. He finished a 20-race career by going to stud and although not the most successful stallion (fee £1,500 2010) he did sire Tangerine Trees. Mind Games was a horse very much associated with the man who wore the red shirt and a gifted sprinter.

Cost: 18,000 Gns (yearling) Prize Winnings: £200,772

Interesting Brocklesby Stakes Fact: Mind Games was odds-on (10/11) to win the Nunthorpe Stakes in 1995 when finishing behind So Factual in 6th place. 

2002 - The Lord, trained by Bill Turner, who is a name synonymous with the Brocklesby Stakes. Sadly, in recent years, Turner has struggled to capture former glories that have seen him win this race six times. The Lord was a talented colt and worthy of note for a number of reasons. Firstly, he won the Brocklesby Stakes by an impressive five lengths in a seventeen-strong field at odds of 13/2. Racing in the familiar silks of Mrs. M S Teversham, this son of Averti went on to win the Lily Agnes Stakes at Chester. He disappointed in the Norfolk Stakes (Group 3) at Royal Ascot. 

The Lord won at Listed class and achieved an official rating of 102. A durable horse, he raced 68 times winning just 8 races. 

Cost: Homebred. Prize Winnings: £108,777

Interesting Brocklesby Stakes Fact: The joint easiest winner of the Brocklesby Stakes since 1988. In fact, the only other horse to win by five lengths was Bill Tuner's Mick's Yer Man (2013). 

2009 - Hearts Of Fire, trained by Pat Eddery. This son of Firesbreak was a classy horse who must have been the apple of his trainer's eye. He won the Brocklesby in decisive fashion winning by two-and-a-quarter lengths at odds of 12/1, ridden by his brother, Paul Eddery. Hearts Of Fire ran creditably in the Brian Yeardley Continental Stakes when runner up at Beverley after a disappointing second start. 

This colt looked pretty smart but there was a key factor to his future successes - he loved very testing ground. Racing at Listed class, he thrashed the opposition winning by over five lengths at Deauville, France. Next, a trip to Baden Baden, Germany, saw him trounce six opponents at Group 3. 

Hearts Of Fire would next set hoof on the sodden ground at San Siro, Italy. Stepping up to 1m for the Gran Criterium (Group 1) he ran on well to win catching Godolphin's Vale Of York, the pair some five lengths clear of the third. 

Thereafter, this exceptional colt would run at the highest grade and every inch a globe trotter concluding his career at Meydan. 

In a 16-race career, he achieved an official rating of 118. 

Cost: £13,000 (yearling). Prize Winnings: £326,543

Interesting Brocklesby Stakes Fact: Cost just 6.000 Gns as a foal.

2013 - Mick's Yer Man, trained by Bill Turner.  This son of Bahamian Bounty has a story which is something of a novelty. As stated, since 1988, Mick's Yer Man ran out the easiest winner of the Brocklesby Stakes by five lengths (shared with The Lord). This 5/1 winner was ridden by 7lb apprentice Ryan While [grandson of Bill Turner]. This March foal won in comprehensive fashion on his next start at Musselburgh. 

Then the wheels fell off when returning after a long layoff which suggested Mick's Yer Man suffered an injury. 

He wasn't seen to any effect until his four-year-old career when winning at Leicester. Later, a Listed win at Ascot. He was raced once more at three and not seen again for almost three years. In that time, Mick's Yer Man was gelded and sold privately by Turner and trained by T P Yung to race in Hong Kong. There were rich pickings to be had and this gelding proved to be an inspired purchase. He won three times in Hong Kong and pocketed substantial prize money.

Cost: 10,000 Gns as a foal. Prize Winnings £328,456.

Interesting Brocklesby Stakes Fact: Mick's Yer Man had a change of name to Always Win when racing in Hong Kong. 

2016 - The Last Lion, trained by Mark Johnston. This son of Choisir certainly made an impact in his formative season - racing 10 times and then retired to stud. This bay colt made a sparkling start to his career when winning the 2016 Brocklesby Stakes by one-and-three-quarter lengths: ''Pushed clear and eased towards the finish''. 

On his fourth start, he headed to Royal Ascot to compete in the Norfolk Stakes (Group 2). The 20/1 starting price didn't hold him back running a storming second place, headed in the final 150 yards to be beaten by half a length in a blanket finish. 

Next race, Sandown's Dragon Stakes Listed race went to The Last Lion who powered clear of the field over five furlongs on soft going at odds of 10/11f.  

This February foal would make his last five races at pattern class and ran the highest standard every step of the way. 

Finished 2nd in the Victoria Racing Club Molecomb Stakes (Group 3).

Finished 3rd in the Irish Thoroughbred Marketing Gimcrack Stakes (Group 2).

Effortless winner of the Totequadpot Sirenia Stakes (Group 3).

A narrow loser when third in the Pepsi Max Flying Childers Stakes (Group 2).

The Last Lions' final race of the two-year-old season and his career saw him face nine rivals in the Juddmonte Middle Park Stakes (Group 1) at Newmarket over 6f on good-to-firm going. In a truly spectacular conclusion, the 25/1 shot made all under an expert ride from Joe Fanning, battling on gamely, always holding rivals to win by three-quarters of a length holding Charlie Appleby's Blue Point which started at fractional odds-on (10/11). 

QUOTES: After the Brocklesby Franny (Norton) said THE LAST LION would be far better on faster ground. But if you look at his form behind Yalta at Goodwood (when second in the Molecomb Stakes on good), everybody thought his only chance would be when there is cut in the ground. Here he is, on fast ground, running the race of a lifetime on his tenth start of the year! It is another advert for going on and running them - Mark Johnston, trainer.

Cost: 82,000 Euros (yearling). Prize Winnings: £225,663.

Interesting Brocklesby Stakes Fact: The only winner since 1988 to start at odds-on [4/5f].

2017 - Santry, trained by Declan Carroll. Sometimes the best horses have the least luck and that was the case for this bay colt a son of Harbour Watch. This February foal was fancied to go well when making his debut in the Brocklesby Stakes at Town Moor.

Backed to 4/1, he led one furlong out, idled in the last 75y but held on by a head from David Evans' Last Page. 

There was a lot to like about Santry's second start when winning in style at Ascot under a penalty keeping on strongly when seriously backed from 4/1 - 9/4.

Next stop - Royal Ascot 2017. Declan Carroll's charge was made a 13/2 shot to win the Norfolk Stakes (Group 2). Santry was only denied by half a length from Aidan O'Brien's Sioux Nation who raced on the far side of the course. In fact, Santry had trouble in running and kept on well but couldn't peg back the Irish raider. 

Sadly, this young colt's career was cut short when he broke a leg on the gallops. Carroll said: ''I can't believe we've lost him.'' 

Cost: 24,000 Euros. Prize Winnings: £40,419. 

Interesting Brocklesby Stakes Fact: Probably one of the most talented winners. 

2019 - Show Me Show Me, trained by Richard Fahey. The Ontoawinner syndicate is no stranger to talented juveniles and this son of Showcasing was fancied to go well on debut in the Brocklesby Stakes and obliged with a purposeful victory winning by three-quarters of a length. 

This horse ran seven times at two including a placed effort at Goodwood when third in the Markel Insurance Molecomb Stakes (Group 3) when losing a left front shoe.  

Interesting Brocklesby Stakes Fact: The First winner for Ontoawinner syndicate but there will be more.  

Cost: £24,000 (yearling). Prize Winnings: £72,655. 
  
The Brocklesby Conditions Stakes: Future Winners.

In many ways, the Brocklesby Stakes is far from a significant race but special because it is a celebration of the start of the two-year-old Flat turf season. It is the race trainers have hopes and dreams of winning in cold, winter months.

There have been a number of exceptional horses that have won the Brocklesby before going on the win at the highest level and conclude their success standing at stud. These seven horses have all started their career by tasting victory on debut. Very few horses achieve such a milestone. For some, it will be their first and last victory while other winners such as the 1996 Brocklesby Stakes winner Indian Spark (trainer by Bill Turner) ran an incredible 143 times. 

The Brocklesby Stakes Q & A

Which is the best Brocklesby Stakes winner? 

There is little doubt the seven horses mentioned are some if not the best. Personally, Mind Games, The Last Lion & Hearts Of Fire are exceptional talents. 

What is the biggest priced winner of the Brocklesby Stakes?

In modern history (since 1988) Denham Green (1988) and Red Power (2003), both won at the starting price of 25/1. 

Which horse won at the shortest odds?

That goes to The Last Lion (pictured), trained by Mark Johnston, who won at odds of 4/5f in 2016. He was the first horse to win the Brocklesby Stakes at odds-on. 

Which horse ran the fastest time?

Hearts Of Fire won the 2009 Brocklesby Stakes in a time of 0:59.71 on good to firm going. In fact, he was the only horse to run under one minute since 1988 (this was due to fast ground conditions and a true talent). 

In modern history, which horse trainer has won the Brocklesby Stakes the most times?

Unsurprisingly, that mantle goes to Bill Turner who has won the race 6 times since 1996 when Indian Spark won by four lengths at odds of 100/30. Turner's other winners include The Lord (2002), Spoof Master (2006), Sally's Dilemma (2008), He's So Cool (2011) & Mick's Yer Man (2013). 

For me, the Brocklesby will always be a race to cherish and winners to hold dear.

Related story: Is Bill Turner the Brocklesby Stakes King?

**KNOW THE BEST HORSES IN TRAINING (BEFORE THEY RACE!)**

The Early Days of Gambler Patrick Veitch Tipster

Patrick Veitch is a name associated with gambling. 

In fact, he is one of the most famous professional gamblers in the UK. Or at least he was. I'm not so sure if he bets in the style of old which he detailed in his fascinating book - Enemy Number One: Secrets of the UK's Most Feared Professional Punter. 

Published back in 2010 by Highdown. 

I've read the book and it is worthy of your time. Sure, like all punters, they talk a little too much about their unending wins and few losses but there's a lot of insight to be gained from Veitch's professional approach to gambling. He is reputed to have won £10M. The book covers a period of 9 years where he recorded his bets. It made me smile that he had about 10 phones to contact his army of agents to get his bets on which saw very large wagers and ultimately big wins. His story isn't one without problems. In fact, an introduction of a friend to a nasty piece of work would see him fear for his life and become something of a man of the run. 

As seen with many professional gamblers, he was a maths prodigy and was actually accepted at Cambridge University at the age of 15. In fact, while studying at Trinity College he started his premium-rate telephone tipping service. Funnily enough, and I don't think many people have this record, I was searching through old Sporting Life - Weekender Publication and see one of this adverts on the front page. The photos attached is actually taken from the said copy which dates Wednesday May 11 - Saturday May 14th, 1994 (£1.35).  

I'm pretty sure this is his actual advert on the front page of The Sporting life Weekender. I

guess it cost a good few quid to have it centre stage although you see there are two other adverts from 'Top Horse' and '2-Y-O Gamble'. The world and his wife love UK free bets. 

Veitch detailed that he made £10,000 from his tips and dropped out of the world of academia to follow his passion. He went under the name 'The Professional' and A/B Rated advices are expected this with very strong news already received for York (Wed/Thurs) and also for Newbury (Fri/Sat). 

Please don't phone the mainline now!

I remember buying the Weekender as my brother's research was published in Nick Mordin's Systems, which were very popular. You can see the post, below, which is very much a blast from the past. My brother, Tony, had a couple of conversations on the phone with Mordin. It was a very insightful piece of research which has carried on to this day within our interest in two-year-old horse racing and knowing the best juveniles in training. As Mordin's title said 'In a class of their own: How to spot and back potential top-notch two-year-olds. It's a fascinating read and Mordin followed up the piece with further research of his own. 

It was a sad day when Mordin seemed to disappear from public life. He wrote a number of fine books and put his money where his mouth was being a professional gambler for a short time although reverted back to writing as it was a soleless and anti-social endeavour and too much travel. 

I've had a lot of people email and ask if I have Nick Mordin's contact details. 

I don't. 

Anyway, this post has been enjoyable, remembering the good old days. Who would have thought the world of gambling would be included in a paper about Nick Mordin, The Coote Boys and Patrick Veitch. 

From the number of tipster ads in The Weekender, there wasn't any lack of punters who wanted an edge. Nothing much changes on that score. 

Good luck to all. 

 

Professional Gamblers: Patrick Veitch – Enemy Number One

Who is Patrick Veitch? 

A professional gambler once dubbed 'The Baby-Faced Assassin of the Betting Ring' by the tabloid press, Patrick Veitch is one of the most successful punters of modern times. As detailed in his autobiography, 'Enemy Number One: The Secrets of the UK's Most Feared Professional Punter', first published in 2009, in an eight-year period from 1999 he recorded profits in excess of £10 million. 

Notoriously reticent to reveal any details of his personal life, Veitch was a mathematics prodigy and not only applied to, but was accepted by, Cambridge University at the age of just 15. Unsurprisingly, he read mathematics at Trinity College, but soon launched a premium-rate telephone tipping service, operating under the moniker of 'The Professional', and recruited from the student body to man the telephones. Heading into his third year, his service was realising over £10,000 and, eventually, he abandoned his studies altogether. 

Veitch attracted the attention of leading owner Michael Tabor, one of the richest men in the country and a shrewd, unflinching punter, who paid him a seasonal retainer for his tips. Once, and only once, in a three-year period did Veitch tip what he considered a 'certainty' and, unafraid of 'putting his money with mouth was', invested £20,000 of his own cash. His selection, Blue Goblin, in the Coral Sprint Handicap at Newmarket on May 31, 1997, was sent off a heavily-backed 11/10 favourite and duly quickened clear to win, easily, by two-and-a-half lengths. 

Everything appeared to be set fair for Veitch, but the following June his association with Tabor, his career and his life, as he knew it, was brought to a shuddering halt. Faced by a disgruntled local businessman demanding money with menaces, Veitch refused to pay the stipulated £70,000, but contacted the police and, on their advice, immediately went into hiding for a period of nine months.

Veitch eventually testified against his would-be extortionist, Calvin Hall, an infamous and, as time would tell, highly dangerous criminal in open court, wearing a bulletproof vest. Hall was sentenced to five years' imprisonment in November, 1998 and subsequently received a much longer jail term after being convicted of the attempted murder of a police officer. The extortion episode took its toll, emotionally and financially, and by late 1998 Veitch was, by his own admission, 'at rock bottom'. However, in typically industrious, single-minded and self-confident fashion, he set about redressing the balance. 

In 'Enemy Number One', Veitch writes that his success essentially boils down to 'finding a bet where the odds are greater than the true chance of that event happening.' However, he does concede that any successful punter must possess the characteristics of a 'brain surgeon', when studying form and assessing odds, and of a 'mad axeman', when actually placing a bet. Nevertheless, such is his belief in his own ability, he once said, 'The chance of me having a losing year is basically zero.' Indeed, the main inconvenience that Veitch faces is placing bets with bookmakers; such is his notoriety that he cannot do so himself, so he employs a network of associates to wager money on his behalf. 

Veitch apparently makes most of his profits from his own hard work, rather than being 'privy' to inside information. However, Veitch and his partners, collectively known as 'The Exponential Partnership', did pull off a major betting coup with their own horse, Exponential, in the Wright Brothers Maiden Auction Stakes at Nottingham on August 16, 2004. 

The two-year-old son of Namid, a good source of useful juveniles, had made an unispiring debut for trainer Stuart Williams when last of 13, beaten 17 lengths, in a slightly better maiden race at Beverley the previous month, having weakened just after halfway. At Nottingham, Exponential opened at 100/1 but, having shown improved form at home, was backed into 8/1 joint-fourth favourite. Once underway, Exponential raced prominently and, once ridden into the lead a furlong-and-a-half from home, kept on to win by a length; Veitch landed winning bets worth in excess of £235,000. The racecourse stewards understandably questioned Williams regarding the improved form shown by Exponential, but accepted his explanation that the gelding had strengthened physically since his debut and benefited from the experience of his previous outing.

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How Did Betway Get Started As A Bookmaker?

Betway is a well-known online bookmaker that has been in business for over a decade. The company was founded in 2006, and it quickly established itself as one of the leading online betting platforms in the world. Today, Betway is a major player in the online betting industry, offering customers a wide range of betting options and competitive odds on a variety of sports and events.

Betway was founded with the goal of providing sports betting fans with a safe and secure environment in which to place bets on their favorite sports and events. The company’s founders saw a gap in the market for an online bookmaker that could offer a high-quality betting experience, and they set out to fill this gap. Over the years, Betway has invested heavily in developing its platform, and it has become known for its innovative features and user-friendly interface.

One of the key factors that has contributed to Betway’s success is its commitment to responsible gambling. The company has always placed a strong emphasis on promoting safe and responsible betting practices, and it has invested heavily in developing tools and resources to help its customers manage their betting behavior. For example, Betway offers a range of deposit limits and self-exclusion options, and it provides its customers with access to resources such as gamblers anonymous and other support groups.

Betway has also been at the forefront of innovation in the online betting industry. The company was one of the first to offer live streaming of sports events, and it was also an early adopter of mobile betting, which allowed customers to place bets from anywhere, at any time. Today, Betway continues to be a leader in the industry, and it is constantly developing new and innovative products and services.

Despite its success, Betway has faced several challenges along the way. One of the biggest challenges has been navigating the complex regulatory landscape in different countries. In some countries, online betting is heavily regulated, while in others it is virtually unregulated. Betway has had to work hard to ensure that it complies with all relevant regulations in the markets in which it operates, while also ensuring that it is able to offer its customers a high-quality betting experience.

Another challenge has been maintaining its position as a leader in the industry. The online betting market is highly competitive, and new entrants are constantly entering the market. Betway has had to stay ahead of the curve in terms of technology and innovation, while also ensuring that it is able to offer its customers a wide range of betting options and competitive odds.

In conclusion, Betway is a true success story in the world of online betting. The company was founded by a group of entrepreneurs who saw the potential for an online platform that would provide a safe and secure environment for sports betting fans. Over the years, Betway has continued to grow and evolve, and it is now one of the largest and most successful online bookmakers in the world. Despite the challenges it has faced along the way, Betway has always remained committed to providing its customers with a high-quality betting experience and promoting responsible gambling practices.

Professional Gamblers: J.P. McManus - From Humble Beginnings

John Patrick McManus, almost universally known as 'J.P.', was born in Limerick, Republic of Ireland on March 10, 1951. 

From humble beginnings, McManus rose to become a horse racing tycoon – at the last count, he had a net worth of €2.2 billion – with hundreds of horses in training on both sides of the Irish Sea. He became tax-resident in Switzerland in the Nineties but, while he conducts the lion's share of his currency dealing operation from Geneva, he owns Martinstown Stud in Kilmallock, Co. Limerick, which acts as his base on his frequent visits to the Emerald Isle.

McManus' racing colours, adorned in recent years by retained jockeys Sir Anthony McCoy and Barry Geraghty, were originally 'borrowed' from his cherished South Liberties Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) club. Nevertheless, since he bought his first horse, Cill Dara, in 1976, his distinctive green and gold hooped silks have become synonymous with National Hunt racing in Britain and, in particular, with the Cheltenham Festival. Indeed, McManus is the most successful owner in the history of the March showpiece with 66 winners, including seven during the four-day event in 2020. 

Nicknamed the 'Sundance Kid' is his early years, McManus is also one of the greatest professional gamblers of modern times. At the Cheltenham Festival, two early gambles, on Jack Of Trumps and Deep Gale in the National Hunt Chase in 1978 and 1979, respectively, went awry when both horses came to grief, but McManus finally opened his account with Mister Donovan in the Sun Alliance Novices' Hurdle in 1982. Trained, like Jack Of Trumps and Deep Gale, by Edward O'Grady in Co. Tipperary, Mister Donovan was, as O'Grady later fondly remembered, 'a maiden with a heart murmur'. Nevertheless, having been bought by McManus just a month before the Festival, he duly prevailed at odds of 9/2, landing bets worth £250,000 in the process and offsetting what his owner described as a 'distastrous first day'. 

Down the years, McManus has been the architect of several more notable betting coups at the Cheltenham Festival. 

In 2002, his unbeaten Like-A-Butterfly was sent off at prohibitive odds of 7/4 to win the Supreme Novices' Hurdle and had just been headed by Adamant Approach, who looked the likely winner, at the final flight; the latter parted company with his jockey, Ruby Walsh, leaving Like-A-Butterfly to pick up the pieces. 

Thursday, March 16, 2006 was another red-letter day for McManus, when he won £600,000 in one hit from legendary bookmaker 'Fearless' Freddie Williams, courtesy of Reveillez in the Jewson Novices' Handicap Chase, and a further £312,500, courtesy of Kadoun in the Pertemps Final later the same afternoon. 

More recently, in 2013, McManus landed another Cheltenham Festival gamble with Alderwood in the Grand Annual Handicap Chase, which, since 2009, had been the 'getting out stakes' for the week. Already a Cheltenham Festival winner, having won the Vincent O'Brien County Handicap Hurdle, all out, in 2012, the nine-year-old was having just his fifth start over fences and, consequently, lined up just 1lb higher in the weights than the previous year. Backed at all odds from 6/1 to 3/1 favourite throughout the day, Alderwood took over from Kid Cassidy, also owned by McManus, at the bypassed final fence and drew away in the final hundred yards to win, comfortably, by 3¼ lengths. Kid Cassidy finished second to give McManus a 1-2 in the race, in the right order, while Alderwood chalked up win number fourteen for Irish-trained horses during the week. 

Nowadays, McManus makes fewer excursions to the betting ring than was once the case and appears to be in no desperate hurry to announce a successor to Barry Geraghty, who retired in July, 2020, as his new retained rider in Britain. Nevertheless, with the likes of Epatante, Champ and Easysland, to name but three, at or towards the head of the antepost markets for their likely engagements, in the Champion Hurdle, Cheltenham Gold Cup and Cross Country Chase, respectively, at the 2021 Cheltenham Festival, he has plenty to look forward to.

Author: David Dunning

Professional Gamblers: The Secret Guide to Phil Bull's Betting Success

Background

Ironically, for a devout, lifelong atheist, Phil Bull (not pictured) once said, ‘I was bred to be a saint, you know’. Born on April 9, 1910, in the small town of Hemsworth, West Yorkshire, Bull was the son of William Osborne Bull, who began his career in the Salvation Army, but later worked as a coal miner and as a sanitation engineer, and Lizzie Jessop Watson, who was a Sunday school teacher. He was educated at Hemsworth Grammar School and at Leeds University, graduating with a modest degree in mathematics in 1931. Bull subsequently taught mathematics in London and did not abandon the teaching profession, at least, not entirely, when he embarked on a career as a professional gambler, which would make him a familiar figure on British racecourses for decades afterward.

Interest in Gambling

Later in life, Phil Bull recounted almost certainly apocryphal stories of how he was taught the rudiments of odds and betting parlance by his mother in early childhood. Nevertheless, Bull started betting, to small stakes, as a schoolboy and, during his studies at Leeds University, his mathematical and research skills, coupled with his abiding interest in horse racing, naturally led to the statistical analysis of race times. Following graduation, Bull continued to develop a unique technique for evaluating horse racing form, based not only on relative finishing positions, as was commonplace, but also on race times. Bull bet on the conclusions of what became ‘Temple Racetime Analysis’ with no little success and, in 1938, starting selling information, by mail order, to the general public. Initially, his teaching job precluded using his own name, so the ‘Temple Time Test’, as the service known, was sold under the pseudonym ‘William K. Temple’. The Temple Time Test proved highly successful, so successful, in fact, that Bull gave up his teaching job to concentrate on gambling for a living.

Golden Rules

In 1970, Phil Bull published his ‘Ten Commandments’, which, paraphrased in less ‘Biblical’ language, read more or less as follows: 

1. The selection source is unimportant, but bet only on selections you consider value-for-money; avoid the temptation to bet in every race. (As a side-note, on the subject of value-for-money, Bull was not afraid to bet odds-on).

2. Luck, the law of averages and staking plans are delusional, so place no faith in any of them.

3. Bet according to your means and adjust your stake according to the chance of your selection, as you see it; a selection with a greater chance deserves a higher stake.

4. Do not bet each-way in large fields, unless you are satisfied that the place portion of the bet represents value-for-money.

5. Shop around with bookmakers and the Tote to find the best prices, according to your judgment.

6. Do not bet ante-post unless you know your selection is a definite runner.

7. Do not buy systems; if you come across a profitable system, keep it to yourself.

8. Bet in doubles and trebles if you want to, but not on objections.

9. Make wise, attentive betting decisions and adopt a patient, cautious approach to betting, but do not be afraid to be bold if circumstances dictate.

10. Bet only what you can afford to lose; increasing stakes beyond your means, even in the short-term, can lead to catastrophic losses.

Successes 

Thankfully, from a historical perspective, Phil Bull kept meticulous accounts, just over three decades’ worth, of his ‘serious’ betting activity between 1943 and 1974. However, it is worth noting that, even before the start of that period, Bull had won enough money by backing Pont L’Eveque, winning of the so-called ‘New Derby’ – a wartime substitute for the Derby, run at Newmarket, rather than Epsom – in 1940 to buy a five-bedroom, detached house in Putney, South-West London. In 1944, the year in which he was bombed out of his London home, prompting a return to Yorkshire, Bull had a ‘serious bet’ on Dante, beaten favourite in the 2,000 Guineas and, always one to stand by his judgment invested heavily at 5/1 and again, at 10/1, on the same horse to win the New Derby. At Newmarket, Dante was sent off at 100/30 favourite and won by two lengths; Bull collected £22,000, or in excess of £958,000 in modern terms. In 1952, Bull enjoyed his most profitable season ever, collecting £10,500 for an investment of £1,700, in various bets, on 1,000 Guineas-winner Zabara and £8,000 on Middle Park Stakes-winner Nearula; all told, that season he collected nearly £38,000. Another notable success came in 1963, when, after a series of unfavourable results, Bull staked £1,000 at 20/1 on Ebor-winner Partholon, thereby recouping all his previous losses. According to his own accounts, between 1943 and 1974, Bull made a total profit of just under £296,000 which, even at the most a conservative estimate, is the equivalent of over £3 million in modern terms.

Publications

Aside from his early work under the pseudonym William K. Temple, in 1942, Bull published his treatise on betting, entitled ‘The Mathematics of Betting’, under his own name. The following year he published ‘Best Horses of 1942’, the first in a series of annual volumes that would ultimately evolve into the ‘Racehorses’ annual under the ‘Timeform’ banner. Indeed, the first Timeform annual ‘Racehorses of 1947’ followed in 1948, and included an essay and numerical rating for each horse that ran on the Flat in the 1947 season. Remarkably, the four highest-rated horses, according to Timeform, filled the first four places in 2,000 Guineas, in the correct order, and were led home by My Babu, whose entry read ‘should win 2,000 Guineas’. In 1975/76, Bull published the first edition of the Timeform ‘Chasers & Hurdlers’ annual, which extended coverage to the sphere of National Hunt racing.

Summary

In promotional material for ‘Bull: The Biography’, published in 1995, Phil Bull was billed, justifiably, as ‘racing’s most celebrated and successful punter’. Certainly, Bull was one of the most influential figures in the history of horse racing, developing an innovative technique for analysing form by awarding a performance figure to each individual performance by a horse. Nowadays, that practice is part of the official handicappers’ methodology for handicapping horses. However, although he won, and lost, thousands of pounds, Bull was by no means an inveterate gambler. In fact, he once said, ‘I’m not a gambler. Betting as such doesn’t interest me’, although he added, ‘Racing is different; it’s a continuing play with a fresh set of individual characters every year. Not a who-done-it, but a who’ll do it.’

Photo: Pixabay free for commercial use and no attribution but given

What Happened to the Traditional Bookmakers?

Can you remember Honest Joe your local bookmaker?

You may have to ask your uncle, dad or grandfather. I remember my dad use to like a bet and there was an independent bookmaker at the top of the road next to the corner shop. It was a tiny place, a prefabricated building, most likely a remnant of the Second World War. It was run by one of the Scotney's. I will have to ask my cousin whether it was Fred or Michael, although I know it wasn't Joe (and I'm not sure if he was honest or not). 

I wasn't old enough to place a bet, and by the time I was, it had gone. Fell by the way like many independents. 

As I have said before, we live in a competitive world. And the idea of thinking every bookmaker is guaranteed a life of luxury off the back of numpty gamblers isn't quite as common as the public may believe. 

The mentality of the general public that the bookmaker always wins isn't true. Although most bookmakers shrivel up and die because of competition from other bookmakers rather than a comical scene from the film Carry On at Your Convenience  which differs from online casino australia for real money where Sid Plummer's pet budgie gave him a string of winning tips and luckless turf accountant Benny The Bookie swiftly closed his account. Sid Plummer [played by Sid James, who was a problem gambler in real life] said to Benny The Bookie: ''What kind of sportsman are you?'' 

He replied: ''If I was a sportsman I'd be riding the horse!''

Perhaps my view of the good, old, honestly bookmaker is just built on nostalgia. Isn't it always the case those bygone days were much better (even in times of war). I'm sure such a nostalgic view is sickly sweet in response to the bitter pill of the modern reality of online casino us. I'm talking about bookmakers but it could be anything. Talk to a football supporter about the olds days they remember with pride. Passion, truth & loyalty have been superseded by money and profit and loss. 

I know that was probably the score back in the day but the funneling of where all the money goes is a different story. We have only to see the proportion of sponsorship/advertising which goes to the Premier League compared to the lower divisions to see the truth. It is the same with the Premier League for PDC Darts. But that's another story...

Perhaps I have got it wrong but my thought of the old-time bookmakers contrasts greatly with today. 

Today's bookmakers remind me of a wolf in sheep's clothing. Or perhaps that should be that mass of gooey jelly The Blob, the villain in the 1958 independent science fiction-horror film.

The Blob was a growing, corrosive alien amoeboidal entity that crashes to Earth from outer space inside a meteorite. It devours and dissolves citizens in a small community, growing larger, redder and more aggressive each time it does so, eventually becoming larger than a building. 

I think The Blod was, in fact, Bet365. You may think it is Ladbrokes, Coral or umpteen other bookmakers who have a corrosive approach to punters - winners and losers. 

Bookmakers have changed to be monster, tarted up with make-up and expensive spin doctors and fancy ad campaigns to portray the image of Mother Mary who is giving in all ways until you are met by the truth which lurks behind a curtain something akin the Wizard of Oz who spoke through a voice machine, with smoke and flashes of light to make him seem important compared to a small man with a big mustache and a love of emeralds. 

I have a growing hatred of bookmakers. Their cynical ads that pollute every sporting event, contaminating the minds of naive gamblers who ''really need that free bet'', or the spin that ''somehow'' having a bet on a game makes it more fun, interesting... I mean, why don't you buy a pair of Harry Potter glasses to look more intelligent, too. 

The sad fact of the modern bookie is that they are like a filter system to weed out the winners, close their accounts, or stitch them up by saying they are betting for someone else or money laundering to, basically, make up a reason not to play fair and actually payout a winner. Instead, they nurture losers, in a manner that's akin to a drug dealer giving away free drugs to get someone hooked and then taking all their money thereafter because they have morphed into a zombie-like being who doesn't have very deep pockets but a suitcase full of problems. 

Let's nurture the losers, steal all their money, we know its immoral, but we can make it ok because we have a disclaimer which says ''when the fun stops - stop!'' and we will be the good samaritan by telling them to go home when they have run out of cash. 

Thank you (fill in space with your corrosive bookmaker name). 

Like smoking advertising and promotion used to be plastered over every snooker match back in the day. Bookmakers need to tread carefully and start acting in a manner which befits a true gambling experience with a touch of heart and soul. What will be the benefit if their greed destroys their own business? 

Gambling, in my opinion, isn't about having fun and I would advise anyone not to bet unless they view it as a business. 

That may seem a bit strong but the truth is that most punters are taking a journey which isn't a pleasant saunter through an idyllic forest filled with magic and wishing wells. 

In truth, they will be met by The Blob. It doesn't care about you, your life, your family, hopes, dreams... 

It is a corrosive ball of goo that will keep you alive but suck every last penny out of your pockets, bank account and challenge every aspect of your life including loved ones who will, in truth, never have an answer to your problem.

God bless.

Photo: Pixabay free for commercial use and no attribution 

Ron Pollard: The Man Behind the Odds at Ladbrokes Bookmakers

I love this book written by Ron Pollard. 

In the fast-paced world of sports betting, there are individuals who play a pivotal role in shaping the odds and steering the ship of one of the most renowned bookmakers. Ron Pollard, a name synonymous with the betting industry, has left an indelible mark on the landscape, having served as an odds-maker and PR Director for Ladbrokes, a giant in the world of sports betting.

Ron Pollard's journey in the betting industry began decades ago when he joined Ladbrokes, one of the oldest and most respected bookmakers in the United Kingdom. His passion for numbers and sports made him a natural fit for the role of an odds-maker, a position that involves setting the odds for various sports events based on statistical analysis, expert knowledge, and market trends.

As an odds-maker, Pollard's responsibilities extended beyond mere number-crunching. He played a crucial role in gauging the pulse of the betting market, understanding the dynamics of different sports, and predicting the outcomes of events. His skill in balancing risk and reward became the linchpin of Ladbrokes' success in providing competitive and enticing odds to its vast clientele.

One of Pollard's notable contributions was his ability to adapt to the ever-changing landscape of sports and betting. With a keen eye for emerging trends and an understanding of the global sports ecosystem, he ensured that Ladbrokes stayed ahead of the curve. Whether it was a sudden surge in popularity for a niche sport or a major upset in a high-profile match, Pollard's expertise allowed Ladbrokes to quickly adjust its odds, providing a seamless and dynamic betting experience for its customers.

In addition to his role as an odds-maker, Ron Pollard made a significant impact as the PR Director for Ladbrokes. In this capacity, he became the face and voice of the company, responsible for managing its public image and relations. His charismatic and approachable demeanor made him an effective communicator, both with the media and the diverse community of bettors.

Pollard's tenure as PR Director saw Ladbrokes engaging in innovative marketing strategies, establishing a strong brand presence, and fostering a sense of trust among its customers. He understood the importance of transparency and fair play in the betting industry, working tirelessly to build Ladbrokes' reputation as a reliable and customer-centric bookmaker.

Beyond the boardrooms and betting halls, Ron Pollard's influence extended to the broader conversation around responsible gambling. Recognizing the social responsibility that comes with the betting industry, he actively championed initiatives promoting responsible gambling practices and advocating for the welfare of bettors.

As the years rolled by, Ron Pollard became a legend in the betting world, earning respect not only for his analytical prowess but also for his commitment to ethical practices. His legacy at Ladbrokes continues to shape the company's approach to odds-making and public relations, serving as a benchmark for excellence in the ever-evolving world of sports betting.

In conclusion, Ron Pollard's journey from odds-maker to PR Director at Ladbrokes is a testament to the indispensable role played by individuals behind the scenes in the betting industry. His impact on shaping odds, managing public relations, and promoting responsible gambling has left an enduring legacy, making him a revered figure in the annals of sports betting history.

I would recommend Ron Pollard's book: Odds & Sods: My Life In The Betting Business (1991) 

Photo: J.Coote (2023) 

The Millionaire Betting System

I'm surprised more people don't ask this question: ''Why do you bet on the horses?''

This can be specific to you, me, or the bustling crowd at the Cheltenham Festival. 

I'm far from a natural gambler. In fact, I don't really like gambling. I don't bet for fun, the buzz, which is different from online casino usa real money or all those things many gamblers do from day to day. 

Each to their own. 

If it makes you happy, doesn't lead to the wolf knocking on your door, or affects your life, family, or lead you to suicide you are onto a winner. 

That probably sounds a bit flippant - but you know what I mean. You have to be responsible for your actions and if you can't you need to find an answer.

Anyway, you meet all sorts of people under the umbrella of the gambler. To be fair, you see some very sad sights, especially fixed to the betting terminals in the local bookmakers. 

For many gamblers, betting gives a live hope of making a killing. That's winning cash not holding up a bookmaker's shop with a gun. 

The good side of finding a winning betting angle is that you can easily outweigh the cost of living. You simply bet more money and win a grand a day! Well, you can if you know something the majority of the population doesn't. 

Namely, you win money long term. 

The holy grail is finding a system that gives a regular income. If you attach this to a bot that places your bets automatically, you have a passive income. 

You could be sitting on the beach in the Bahamas, living the life most can only dream. 

If you get to that level you are well and truly a winner. Because let's face it, very few people make their gambling pay. They simply don't know enough to separate the wheat from the chaff. 

Is there a system, simple or complex, which guarantees you will make a profit? Better still, is there a system which shows hundreds if not thousands of points profit every season?

I would love to hear your thoughts on this subject. 

I'm saying no names because these things are private but I've heard something incredible.

There could be a Millionaire Betting System out there. What I mean by this, is a system that can take let's say £100 and in a year, two, three or four and turn that small sum of money into one million pounds profit. 

Many of you reading this will be thinking it's pie in the sky. It can't be possible. How can it be possible?

In fact, by the end of this Flat turf season, I will be in a position to detail whether or not this is fact or fiction. 

Unfortunately for me, and you, I don't understand how this system works. But I imagine it won't be sold for any amount of money. (Even two million pounds!)

It's interesting to consider what goes on behind the scene of the betting exchanges. You see a bet and you have no idea who is behind that transaction. It could be a little old lady down the road placing her first bet. It could be a trader looking to make an easy £5 here and there. Some may suggest you'd be better off playing best online pokies australia. It could be a professional gambler with his finger on the pulse. It may even be Harry Findlay recouping his losses lumping on the next odds-on shot. The stories behind each and every bet and gambler are unknown. 

But consider for a moment the next bet you place could well be a plus or minus for this new gambler on the block as he puts the Millionaire Betting System through its paces. 

This time next year, he'll be a millionaire.

Update: 'Unsurprisingly, the system I was told about didn't work. But that doesn't mean someone, somewhere, doesn't hold the key to the kingdom.'

Photo: Pixabay free for commercial use and no attribution but given 

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