dettori -- 20 years ago today -- magnificent 7

i was there and didn't back a single one of them! never got a racecard nor my racing post signed! at least i have the memories...

For me the most interesting aspect was the story of Gal Wiltshire, touched on in the Post today, dropping 1 Mil on the last race...having read his book Winning It Back the article today plays down the turmoil he went through, selling all his houses/holiday homes and nice cars etc built up over many years of hard graft to repay the debts whilst lodging with family, so fair play to him, a proud and honest man...gl Gal.

the last furlong,looked like eddery was going to nail him

got to feel for wiltshire

many other smaller bookies also got hit

Once his shell shock had slightly eased he went to a dog track where his son was manning the pitch, the first punter lumped on £1 e/w and Gal thought it's gonna be a long road back.. but as he says today he's still going strong and did indeed get back to earning a good living.

NorwichRob 28 Sep 16 13:03 Joined: 26 Apr 12 | Topic/replies: 4,858 | Blogger: NorwichRob's blog
For me the most interesting aspect was the story of Gal Wiltshire, touched on in the Post today, dropping 1 Mil on the last race...having read his book Winning It Back the article today plays down the turmoil he went through, selling all his houses/holiday homes and nice cars etc built up over many years of hard graft to repay the debts whilst lodging with family, so fair play to him, a proud and honest man...gl Gal.

agreed. A credit to his country imo.

missed it, was at a wedding i couldnt get out of, first i knew was when someone told me dettori had ridden the first 5 winners, tried not to show it but was gutted as i had backed bosra sham in the qeII and that meant i had lost!

wiltshire deserves a lot of credit, must have been a very difficult time, but if he got it all paid off in 4 years then i expect he's doing ok now 20 years later

ITV may have missed a trick with not going for Gal for their betting coverage, Matt Chapman's good but Gal has the in depth knowledge and experience in the betting jungle to get across the market moves.

A £400,000 lay @ 5/2, I'd have considered it and probably bottled out...

Just think that Wiltshire had actually got in his car that morning to pitch at Worcester, and would have if it wasn't for a pile up on the M40.

The most costly detour of his life.
It's only money though.

with that attitude, you ARE the zen master 

im glad betfair wasnt about then

i would have gone skint as well on that last race

Brought back some memories today lads 20 years ah seems more like 50 thanks for your comments oh much appreciated means a lot gal xx

reckon the old caant in officialdom waited 17 years to have his revenge on him ..... scotch caant.

That's the sweaties for you.

Thanks for replying Gal, top man, have a cold one tonight and be lucky!!....respect....

That was a surreal day, Gary is a top bloke and took the hit, I would have done the same although my bank wasn't as big as his!

i meet him at cheltenham 2004 .Crowds where all over him class guy

Worst thing to happen to racing that day.... we've had to endure endless amounts of dialogue from that wee self serving self interested coke addict prikk for the last 20 years

I don't know the guy, but I have huge respect for anyone who can face up to and conquer a life changing ,financial disaster. Such a loss could result in suicide.

Not everyday you can lay a 16/1 shot 2/1, or what would have been 16/1 if any other jockey was on it.

If ever there was a time to put all your eggs and borrowed ones in one basket that could have been it.
Some of us have there to a lesser degree perhaps, but hats off to you gal.
Everything happens for a reason, so they say.

Tell us jonjon: in 20 years time what little bit of bitter and twisted corner of history will you be sat in? Eh? Didn't think so.