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'I've never seen every bookmaker run out of cash before' - on-course layers counting cost of 'monumental' gamble
A bad week for bookmakers got worse on Thursday evening when a "monumental" gamble was landed at Wolverhampton by Iconic Times.
One layer said it was the first time he had seen every bookmaker run out of cash on a racecourse, while another estimated the on-course plunge to have taken £50,000 out of the ring.
With favourites having dominated the first three days of Glorious Goodwood, bookmakers took another hit when Iconic Times won division one of the 7f handicap by a length under Sean Dylan Bowen.
The Jennie Candlish-trained four-year-old returned 2-1 favourite after opening at 7-1 on course.
On-course bookmaker John Hutchinson, who trades as BDC Racing, said: "People were backing the horse with every bookmaker between 6-1 and 7-1 and couldn't get enough on. I laid a £6,000 to £1,000 bet and another bet to win £3,000, so I thought I'd better go to the paddock to look at the horse. When I came back we'd laid another £5,000 to £2,000.
"It was a monumental gamble and quite an expensive night. Never before have I seen every bookmaker run out of cash on a racecourse, but they did last night. That's how bad it was."
The gamble appears to have been orchestrated on course, with Coral and Paddy Power reporting they had not seen any activity out of the ordinary on Iconic Times.
Barry Pinnington was another bookmaker left to count the cost of the Wolverhampton coup.
"I laid it at £7,000 for £1,000 and while it didn't cost me that, it did cost me a substantial amount," he said. "A guy had a grand on with me, went next door and had a grand on and then went down the line and up the other way and had monkeys [£500] on.
"It shortened and then another guy came in and took all the 3-1 and 5-2 and must have had another £10,000 to £15,000 on up and down the line, and then another guy came in and had a bit of the 9-4.
"There were nine books there last night and they've got to have taken at least £50,000 out of the ring."
A bad week for bookmakers got worse on Thursday evening when a "monumental" gamble was landed at Wolverhampton by Iconic Times.
One layer said it was the first time he had seen every bookmaker run out of cash on a racecourse, while another estimated the on-course plunge to have taken £50,000 out of the ring.
With favourites having dominated the first three days of Glorious Goodwood, bookmakers took another hit when Iconic Times won division one of the 7f handicap by a length under Sean Dylan Bowen.
The Jennie Candlish-trained four-year-old returned 2-1 favourite after opening at 7-1 on course.
On-course bookmaker John Hutchinson, who trades as BDC Racing, said: "People were backing the horse with every bookmaker between 6-1 and 7-1 and couldn't get enough on. I laid a £6,000 to £1,000 bet and another bet to win £3,000, so I thought I'd better go to the paddock to look at the horse. When I came back we'd laid another £5,000 to £2,000.
"It was a monumental gamble and quite an expensive night. Never before have I seen every bookmaker run out of cash on a racecourse, but they did last night. That's how bad it was."
The gamble appears to have been orchestrated on course, with Coral and Paddy Power reporting they had not seen any activity out of the ordinary on Iconic Times.
Barry Pinnington was another bookmaker left to count the cost of the Wolverhampton coup.
"I laid it at £7,000 for £1,000 and while it didn't cost me that, it did cost me a substantial amount," he said. "A guy had a grand on with me, went next door and had a grand on and then went down the line and up the other way and had monkeys [£500] on.
"It shortened and then another guy came in and took all the 3-1 and 5-2 and must have had another £10,000 to £15,000 on up and down the line, and then another guy came in and had a bit of the 9-4.
"There were nine books there last night and they've got to have taken at least £50,000 out of the ring."
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Were any questions asked by the stewards as it's form since it won 12 months ago had been abysmal or am I just being naive ?
Yes - Did not post all of a longer article.
'The racecourse stewards looked into the improved form and noted the explanation of the Candlish stable's representative that the winner had benefited from the reapplication of cheekpieces. Iconic Times was routine tested.'
'The racecourse stewards looked into the improved form and noted the explanation of the Candlish stable's representative that the winner had benefited from the reapplication of cheekpieces. Iconic Times was routine tested.'
Jul 31, 2026 -- 3:47PM, onlooker wrote:
Yes - Did not post all of a longer article.'The racecourse stewards looked into the improved form and noted the explanation of the Candlish stable's representative that the winner had benefited from the reapplication of cheekpieces. Iconic Times was routine tested.'
They were very confident with the application of cheekpieces, not the money 
dropped a lot in weights..big drop in class..was all there to see..
Its funny these horses never get stuck or slow away from stalls mmmm
12 bookie, moaning about 50p ew/2squid bets .cant get 50 grand together between them,must have been a bad night for the burger van
'The racecourse stewards looked into the improved form and noted the explanation of the Candlish stable's representative'
-----------
I really should have added a smiley
to that sentence -
- or - should it have been a far more appropriate ...
-----------
I really should have added a smiley
to that sentence -- or - should it have been a far more appropriate ...
They will only have run out of cash because they will have backed it back on the exchanges. Owned by some lads from Donny I believe.
they didn't do it right, how can you take 5/2 when you've already had plenty on at 7 and 6, when it goes wrong they do it big time
That would depend if "they" knew the horse should have been Evens,kingo
just shows how bad the game has gone - 'monumental gamble' laughing stock, taken£50k from the ring, there were commonplace win stakes of that magnitude at Ascot/Cheltenham/Aintree/York 15-20 years ago, money which would be almost double that nowadays with inflation. Distressing really or laughable depending on your POV
You have the GC to thank for that and the inaction of the BHA to challenge the loons,Gordon.
king
one of the greatest touches ever was at nottingham 100/1 all rates down to single figures those involved felt the prices were still to big and were happy to take them.
one of the greatest touches ever was at nottingham 100/1 all rates down to single figures those involved felt the prices were still to big and were happy to take them.
pv that was. looking a bit sickly these days. underweight
He has rarely had a "straight" bet in his life,Busy but,certainly very shrewd
just shows how bad the game has gone - 'monumental gamble' laughing stock, taken£50k from the ring, there were commonplace win stakes of that magnitude at Ascot/Cheltenham/Aintree/York 15-20 years ago, money which would be almost double that nowadays with inflation. Distressing really or laughable depending on your POV
I mean does it really need pointing out this isn't the C19th anymore? One can still ring up bets from a phonebox tho.........
I mean does it really need pointing out this isn't the C19th anymore? One can still ring up bets from a phonebox tho.........
uptheirons 31 Jul 26 16:33
Veitch,jimnast
Nonsense,trust me…..
Veitch,jimnast
Nonsense,trust me…..
Do you never tire of spouting Shyte,Aceform?
The horse was Exponential.you utter cretin
The horse was Exponential.you utter cretin
Anyone want his book ?? Its currently hanging in my Toilet.
if you new THE FLOCKTON GREYS age that turned up on track,you,d have took EVENS
Horses mouth at York……he laughed said it would have taken £30 lol……
formoftheace • July 31, 2026 4:44 PM BST
uptheirons 31 Jul 26 16:33
Veitch,jimnast
Nonsense,trust me…..
You didn't
uptheirons 31 Jul 26 16:33
Veitch,jimnast
Nonsense,trust me…..
You didn't
His book was hanging in my toilet too,but we've used it all up..
1st time can you remember the real name of flocton grey ?
no
but i do remember the day it won,i was in a betting shop betting on my mates DOG RUNNING AT BROUGH PARK,which alo won
but i do remember the day it won,i was in a betting shop betting on my mates DOG RUNNING AT BROUGH PARK,which alo won
aceform
the person on here who posts the most stupidest comments
Here are some recent ones
as night follows day France will be in the world cup final
In his opinion Jude Bellingham is a tad over rated
Tony Bloom never had to invest any money in acquiring Brighton Hove Albion football club
as in his words 'It was handed to him' he fails to
mention who handed it to him though
the person on here who posts the most stupidest comments
Here are some recent ones
as night follows day France will be in the world cup final
In his opinion Jude Bellingham is a tad over rated
Tony Bloom never had to invest any money in acquiring Brighton Hove Albion football club
as in his words 'It was handed to him' he fails to
mention who handed it to him though
and we reach 35 de ent pots before another one goes in to dog abuse,pretty decent effort nowadays
"dropped a lot in weights..big drop in class..was all there to see.." Yeah had won off 70 now 59 and still only a 4 year old.
On-course bookmaker John Hutchinson, who trades as BDC Racing, said: "People were backing the horse with every bookmaker between 6-1 and 7-1 and couldn't get enough on. I laid a £6,000 to £1,000 bet and another bet to win £3,000, so I thought I'd better go to the paddock to look at the horse. When I came back we'd laid another £5,000 to £2,000.
wtf is the point of looking at a low grade h'capper that's run 19 times. Expecting to see the appearance of a Frankel ?
On-course bookmaker John Hutchinson, who trades as BDC Racing, said: "People were backing the horse with every bookmaker between 6-1 and 7-1 and couldn't get enough on. I laid a £6,000 to £1,000 bet and another bet to win £3,000, so I thought I'd better go to the paddock to look at the horse. When I came back we'd laid another £5,000 to £2,000.
wtf is the point of looking at a low grade h'capper that's run 19 times. Expecting to see the appearance of a Frankel ?
There Is No Doubt was a fun one. Young Pipe was dipping the daughter of a new trainer at the time as I understand it, and his missus rode her horses. I think it had recently been 'moved' from Pipe's to this young lass, and had its name changed, so nobody laying bets knew it was effectively a Pipe first timer in a weakish Exeter bumper. I may be mixing the stories in my head, but I also seem to recall the owners were not happy as everyone else at Pipe's lumped on first, before they got the nod. 33s to 5-2, a lot bigger on bf obviously (at that time, 28/1/33/1 outsiders often traded 100+ on here). Another twist was that one of Pipe's big owners had the paper fav, and he lumped on the 'ringer'. No wonder There Is No Doubt's owners were a bit salty
It didn't win because it was lower in the handicap - there are a million horses running today lower in the hcp - it won because on this particular day the horse WAS RUNNING ON ITS MERITS, when clearly it has NOT been running on its merits. Hence the (pointless) stewards inquiry.
BTW Cavendish is worth looking out for if one of hers in backed in a bumper.
BTW Cavendish is worth looking out for if one of hers in backed in a bumper.
they aren't all young (4 ) recently transfered from another stable running over different trips and wearing headgear. You can read 'em to a fair extent. TC and Candlish ones usually need a few runs after arriving whereas Mick Appleby was good first time. But yeah the money is the clincher.
Quite a conspiracy there Cider, it rather falls apart when you say the horse had its name changed but the owners were last to know about the gamble!! Have you any idea how hard it is to change a horses name not to mention without the owners knowledge?
went to paddock to see if it had 3 legs,o he could try to nick another few grand out of it
What I find surprising is that no one has questioned the size of the bets stood by the potless lot standing in the Wolves ring.
Haven't been for a number of years but you couldn't get a bet to win a monkey with most of the shamblers.
Len Boden being the exception.
Haven't been for a number of years but you couldn't get a bet to win a monkey with most of the shamblers.
Len Boden being the exception.
do you watch SD in the ring ? ( you tube ) Loads of 'em lay four figure bets including friend of the channel John Hutchinson.
I stand corrected. Makes me think it might be worth while returning to the track.
There Is No Doubt, whose victory at Exeter 10 days ago has caused a few eyebrows to be raised at the Jockey Club, followed up with a facile success at Towcester today.
The three-year-old (7-2) made all in the European Breeders Fund ‘Junior’ Standard Open NH Flat Race to beat favourite Giovanna by a long-looking nine lengths.
The ex-French gelding is trained by permit holder Helen Bridges, whose horses are ridden by her daughter Lucy, the long-term partner of Martin Pipe’s son, David.
Backers of There Is No Doubt landed a spectacular gamble at the Devon track when he was backed down from an opening 28-1 on-course to 5-2 favourite at the off.
It transpired the horse had been sold by Pipe to Mrs Bridges a few weeks earlier, and its name had subsequently been changed via Weatherbys.
Although no rules are thought to have been broken, the champion trainer is set to be interviewed by Jockey Club security staff, as is Dorset-based Mrs Bridges, who remains nonplussed by recent press attention.
“It was an incredible win (at Exeter) and I’ll never ever forget being accosted by reporters at the other end over what had happened. I hadn’t a clue,” she told At The Races.
“Martin chose this horse for me but I could have sent him back if I’d wanted to.”
Asked how the publicity had affected her, she added: “At one point I never wanted to see another horse or another racecourse.
“But life has to go on – it is a storm in a teacup.”
As I palpably stated, I could be mixing the stories (the ownership bit). The was absolutely a significant controversy around Pipe heavily backing a horse before the owners. I seem to recall they took it to court or some such. I might try and find some info on it later, but we are talking over twenty years ago, unsurprisingly these stories can merge in your memory.
The three-year-old (7-2) made all in the European Breeders Fund ‘Junior’ Standard Open NH Flat Race to beat favourite Giovanna by a long-looking nine lengths.
The ex-French gelding is trained by permit holder Helen Bridges, whose horses are ridden by her daughter Lucy, the long-term partner of Martin Pipe’s son, David.
Backers of There Is No Doubt landed a spectacular gamble at the Devon track when he was backed down from an opening 28-1 on-course to 5-2 favourite at the off.
It transpired the horse had been sold by Pipe to Mrs Bridges a few weeks earlier, and its name had subsequently been changed via Weatherbys.
Although no rules are thought to have been broken, the champion trainer is set to be interviewed by Jockey Club security staff, as is Dorset-based Mrs Bridges, who remains nonplussed by recent press attention.
“It was an incredible win (at Exeter) and I’ll never ever forget being accosted by reporters at the other end over what had happened. I hadn’t a clue,” she told At The Races.
“Martin chose this horse for me but I could have sent him back if I’d wanted to.”
Asked how the publicity had affected her, she added: “At one point I never wanted to see another horse or another racecourse.
“But life has to go on – it is a storm in a teacup.”
As I palpably stated, I could be mixing the stories (the ownership bit). The was absolutely a significant controversy around Pipe heavily backing a horse before the owners. I seem to recall they took it to court or some such. I might try and find some info on it later, but we are talking over twenty years ago, unsurprisingly these stories can merge in your memory.
Poor lamb, didn't have a clue that they had bet the house on the non ringer, ringer. lol
I also seem to recall this shady affair led to some changes to the rules of racing.
I also seem to recall this shady affair led to some changes to the rules of racing.
These affordability checks good news for on course bookies ?
I can say similar to Loper.
I owned an eyelid of a syndicate horse running @ Wolvers and was refused a bully e.w. @ 16/1. That's going back 15 years so the ring has obviously improved since then.
On affordability checks. Hills have amended my deposit limit to £100.00 quarterly.
I was pretty much only using them for placepots as the Nanny gave me a red card when I refused to comply.
Completely absurd.
I owned an eyelid of a syndicate horse running @ Wolvers and was refused a bully e.w. @ 16/1. That's going back 15 years so the ring has obviously improved since then.
On affordability checks. Hills have amended my deposit limit to £100.00 quarterly.
I was pretty much only using them for placepots as the Nanny gave me a red card when I refused to comply.
Completely absurd.
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