LEE WESTWOOD has won thousands transforming a ‘terrible’ racehorse into a 66-1 winner and Cheltenham Gold Cup chance.
The former world No 1 golfer and Ryder Cup legend has made more than £50million on the course during his 25-year career.
But rarely has he shown anywhere near as much emotion as when one of his horses landed him £28,000 after surging home at monster odds last November.
Yorkhill romped past the post as the rank outsider of the field – reducing Westwood to tears.
Westy, 47, was watching on TV just up the road from Newcastle racecourse, confined to his front room due to coronavirus guidelines.
Perhaps it was fitting that this European Tour stalwart saw something in an aging horse branded ‘terrible’ and told to retire by one punter.
Yorkhill is a two-time Cheltenham Festival winner.
But prior to that Newcastle triumph he had been pulled up on his two previous runs and was a faller in the race before.
In fact, since his win in the Novices’ Chase at the 2017 Cheltenham Festival, Yorkhill managed just one win, at Galway in August 2019.
Seemingly out of favour and past his shelf life, Westwood and co-owner Dave Armstrong were given the horse by previous owner Graham Wylie.
Westy and Armstrong arranged for Yorkhill to go to trainer Sandy Thomson in February last year.
A former rugby player, Thomson’s story is the complete opposite to Yorkhill’s.
He told SunSport that five years ago – when Yorkhill was winning the first of his two Cheltenham triumphs – ‘no one had heard’ of him and his yard in Scotland.
Now among his stable of superstars is Yorkhill, 2019 Irish Gold Cup winner Bellshill and fan favourite Seeyouatmidnight.
It has been quite the ride for a man previously better known for his part in a rugby giant-killing of the 1980s.
Thomson, 59, was part of the ‘South of Scotland’ team that humbled the mighty Australia on their tour of Britain.
He said: “Training horses is much more brutal than international rugby!”
But for Thomson, along with Westwood and Armstrong, the rewards have been much, much sweeter.
So much so that Yorkhill, who runs at Doncaster on Saturday, has been entered into this year’s Gold Cup.
The prize pot for that race is £625,000.
Don’t bet against history repeating itself.
FREE BETS GET OVER £2,000 IN SIGN UP OFFERS HERE
Commercial content notice: Taking one of the bookmaker offers featured in this article may result in a payment to SE. 18+. T&Cs apply. Begambleaware.org
Remember to gamble responsibly
A responsible gambler is someone who:
- Establishes time and monetary limits before playing
- Only gambles with money they can afford to lose
- Never chase their losses
- Doesn’t gamble if they’re upset, angry or depressed
- Gamcare – www.gamcare.org.uk
- Gamble Aware – www.begambleaware.org
Did you miss our previous article…
https://www.sportingexcitement.com/horse-racing/meet-the-trailblazing-french-jockey-so-popular-she-needs-bodyguard-protection-from-fans
