FAMOUS FOILED GAMBLES
The world of horse racing spread betting can prove highly lucrative, which is part of what attracts punters to horse race betting. But whilst many a horse racing bet has succeeded as expected, history can provide us with numerous examples where the result hasn’t followed the form book.
Fille de l’Air (1864 2000 Guineas)
In 1864, Count Frederic de Lagrange’s filly Fille de l’Air started 5-2 favourite public for the 2000 Guineas but finished last, which shocked the horse race betting public as she had won nine races as a two-year-old, including the Woodcote Stakes at Epsom, Molecomb at Goodwood and Criterion at Newmarket. Fille de l’Air’s jockey, Arthur Edwards, did not enjoy a high reputation for integrity and with punters convinced that she had not been allowed to run on her merits, he had to be escorted from the course, while the filly’s trainer, Tom Jennings snr, locked himself in a toilet below the grandstand for the rest of the afternoon.
Ribiofilio (1969 2000 Guineas)
Ribiofilio’s abject failure when starting 15-8 favourite under Lester Piggott for the 1969 Guineas, only to finish last, caused many to believe the colt had been nobbled, although subsequent dope tests proved negative and no explanation was ever forthcoming. However, another of Piggott’s Guineas mounts, Sir Murless’s Pinturischio, who also trailed in plum last, was found to have been doped in the 60’s, and it was after that race that security was tightened up at racecourses.
Jellaby (1978 Lockinge Stakes)
We have all heard of Devon Loch crumpling to the grounds yards from victory in the 1956 Grand National, but anyone with an interest in racing betting can usually rely on their fancy on the Flat at least finishing the race. However, Jellaby, backed down to 11-4 favourite for the 1978 Lockinge Stakes at Newbury, had his rivals stone cold and was cruising to victory when inexplicably he stumbled 100 yards from the line and unseated his jockey, Brian Taylor.
Dancing Brave (1986 Derby)
Horse race betting enthusiasts had a nightmare time in the 1986 Derby, in which Greville Starkey’s ill-judged tactics on 2-1 favourite Dancing Brave cost them millions. A dozen lengths adrift running down towards Tattenham Corner, Dancing Brave flew up the Epsom straight, but Starkey had set the 2000 Guineas winner an impossible task and they failed by a neck to peg back Shahrastani.
Dayjur (1989 Breeders Cup Sprint)
Armchair punters watched in disbelief as the flying Dick Hern-trained sprinter Dayjur, ridden by Willie Carson, hurdled a shadow of the time-keepers box yards from the winning post in the Breeders Cup Sprint at Belmont Park in New York. One of the outstanding speedballs of recent years, Dayjur was the banker for most British visitors to the ‘Big Apple’, and he had the race sewn up and tied with ribbon when fate intervened – much to the relief of bookmakers. He had been backed into hot favouritism and was sent off at just 2.4/1.
Istabaraq (2002 Champion Hurdle)
Istabraq, one of the greatest Champion Hurdlers of recent years, also cost his racing betting following a small fortune when pulled up early on when going for a fourth title in 2002. However, owner JP McManus has been such a true friend to NH racing and has been on the right end of many a gamble, that, despite the fact that following Istabraq’s troubled preparation, he ought not to have run in the race, racing was more than willing to forgive him. Who said that punters have no heart!
Hawk Wing (2002 2000 Guineas)
Thousands of pounds went down the drain when Hawk Wing was beaten by his stablemate Rock of Gibraltar in what proved to an epic 2000 Guineas of 2002. Aidan O’Brien had been eulogising about Hawk Wing for weeks, but a field of 22 meant that, with the starting stalls placed in the centre of the course for the Rowley Mile, the runners split into three separate groups. Hawk Wing came up the centre, with Rock of Gibraltar racing in virtual isolation from half-way on the far rail. The professional money was on Hawk Wing, who started 6-4 favourite, with Rock of Gibraltar, owned by Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson, a 9-1 shot. Jamie Spencer rode Hawk Wing with supreme confidence, seemingly under the impression that he could pick up Rock of Gibraltar and Johnny Murtagh whenever he wanted, but the alarm bells started ringing in the Dip, and, with Spencer clawing for the panic button, Hawk Wing’s turbo-charged finish was not enough to reel in Rock of Gibraltar, who held on by a neck. The fact that Rock of Gibraltar went on to win six more Group 1 races and proved one of the outstanding milers of recent years was scant consolation to punters of Hawk Wing, who never forgave Spencer.
Monkerhostin (2007 Grand National)
There have been some huge late plunges horse racing betting, not least in the Grand National. One of the biggest was on Monkerhostin in the 2007 race. However, Philip Hobbs’s chaser is an enigmatic character and once he saw the big ditch, the third, you could almost read his mind – “thanks, but no thanks” – and punters knew then that they never had a prayer of collecting. Monkerhostin had been widely available at 28/1 just a few hours before the race, but a mighty plunge saw his odds contract into just 10/1.
Horse Racing Spread Betting at Sporting Index
