Windsor, Barney Curley, VC and Me....

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Windsor, Barney Curley, VC and Me…..

There are some racecourses that hold a special a place in the heart, one of them for me is Windsor. My first visit was on Monday 25^th July 1988 when I was still a Craftsman in the REME. On leave from Germany, I borrowed my mum’s little red mini and drove up there from Devon to watch Tyrnippy run.

I had been a member of MDM Racing (Thoroughbreds) Limited for a couple of years, but this was the first time I’d been able to see one of our horses run. I remember being struck by the buzz of the place, the old world feel to the bars and how busy the betting ring was. I had several credit accounts back in those days, including Victor Chandler, account 3301 which I proudly used to bet Tyrnippy on the rail, I found out later it was Bill Tye that took my score each-way bet, I remember he didn’t appear too chuffed at the time, though I was proud as punch to have had my first ever bet with the big boys.

I’d heard that the professionals always watch the race on the course TV’s not live, so of course that’s what I did. As the race was running I was aware of a chap in a big fedora stood next to me nonchalantly puffing on a cigarette, I expect I stood there with my mouth open. It was my betting hero Barney Curley, the first time I’d seen him in the flesh too, I was living the dream. Well, almost Tyrnippy was beaten less than a length into second returning 4/1 behind a horse named Eternal Triangle, judging by the satisfied drag on his fag as the winner passed the post I’d like to think Barney was on the winner, I didn’t mind being beaten by one the legend had backed, and of course was vindicated for having the each-way bet in the first place.

My next visit to Windsor would have been six or seven years later when I was working for Torquay bookmaker Dave Phillips. We used attend every Monday night, I was always pleased to get a few quid wages after the weekend, when I’d surely be skint. It was always real fun to be in the ring. The course was still awash with ‘Yuppie’ money, the city contingent would be there having guess up £50 and £100 bets on competitive handicaps hand over fist. Dave would have some hairy books, but you fancied your chances of beating them. The best betting heats were often on the photo finishes, if the judge called for a print we’d get to work. There’d always be one that the punters thought had won which would be odds-on, Dave would go down the book with it, his theory being, regardless what the punters thought saw just once the judge couldn’t separate them so let them bet what they liked. You had two chances of winning, the other one outright or keeping half the stakes should there be a dead heat. Great fun, the night before Royal Ascot was always a particularly busy one. Dave would some sometimes send me out to the Silver Ring to lay and back which was always a good craic though the bookies out there were no fools and soon cottoned on they were too big if you were trying to back one. I even repped Dave one night with Johnny Boy Loverage clerking, I don’t remember much detail but know we did Dave’s money which is probably why I didn’t get asked to rep there a second time.

Fast forward and it’s been excellent to work at Windsor again, firstly with Star Sports writing betting ring reports as they expanded their on-course portfolio, especially to be there initially for the Winter Millions jumps meeting, then to relive the Monday nights where the crowds still flock on balmy summer evenings. The city people of my youth don’t appear to be there any more which is a shame but I’m told they no longer work on Mondays! The new generation of racegoer’s have a fantastic time, there’s much more than just the racing to enjoy, but when they are running everyone watches, plenty of them bet too but the likes of Johnny Lights terrorising the rails are mostly a memory but there’s still the occasional lump to make the bookies’ jump.

Most recently I’ve been working with betting exchange Matchbook who have been sponsors at the course helping with their hospitality from helping pick best turned out to presenting winning connections with their mementos. It's been a real privilege working with a great teams from both Matchbook and Windsor seeing a whole new side to racing. If you've yet to visit Windsor Races, get a wiggle on.

Who’d have thought I'd presenting a prize to winning owners at Royal Windsor racecourse on behalf of Matchbook, from watching a runner-up as an ‘owner’ next to Barney Curley to lunch in Owners and Trainers. Not Tyrnippy’s ‘owner’ back in 1988 that’s for sure.

Simon Nott

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