A Twist of Fate
Almost 30 years ago, a twist of fate changed Gary Wiltshire's life forever. The bookie rose to fame in the 2000s as part of the BBC's racing coverage alongside John Parrott.
The Impact of Frankie Dettori's Magnificent Seven
But it was a hammering at the hands of Frankie Dettori at Ascot on September 28, 1996 that had the biggest impact – and Wiltshire wasn't even meant to be there.
A Surprising Turn of Events
Wiltshire revealed, "I wasn't actually meant to be standing at Ascot that day. I was on my way to Worcester races, but there was a big accident on the M40 so we turned around and went to Ascot. The rest, as they say, is history."
A Million Pound Loss
Frankie Dettori's 'Magnificent Seven' cost the bookmaking industry over £40 million. Wiltshire, who was winning after the first five races, ended up losing over a million on that fateful day.
The Thrill of the Roll
Reflecting on the experience, Wiltshire said, "It took me four years to pay off my debts, but would I do it all again? Of course I would, because of the thrill of it. Frankie is a fantastic person for racing. In my eyes, he broke me but he made me."
A Punter's Jackpot
While Wiltshire suffered a devastating loss, punter Darren Yates hit the jackpot thanks to Frankie. Yates had promised his wife that he would stop following Dettori, but on the day of the Magnificent Seven, he quietly staked a total of £67.58.
A Dream Come True
Yates played football that afternoon and upon arriving at the pub after the match, he realized his dream was on. By the end of the day, he was £550,000 richer.
Fearless Backing of Frankie
Yates declared, "Frankie is my hero. I always followed him rather than the horses. William Hill must fear the sight of me from now on – but they won't stop me backing Frankie."
Did you miss our previous article…
https://www.sportingexcitement.com/horse-racing/hollie-doyle-aims-for-a-stellar-end-to-the-2023-flat-season/
