THIS is the amazing moment a West Ham fan who has been blind since birth lands a £285,000 winner at Ascot.
You can sense proud owner Andrew Gemmell living every word as his beloved Trueshan roared home under Hollie Doyle to win the Long Distance Cup on Champions Day.
Blind West Ham fan Gemmell listens intently as Trueshan thunders to the finish
Unable to see since birth Gemmell, who is in his 60s, celebrates once victory is confirmed
Trueshan, in the blue and yellow silks, won an absolute thriller at Ascot
It was a thrilling finish, with the Alan-King trained stayer bouncing back to form to see off Coltrane by a head.
Gemmell, famed for wearing a West Ham scarf as he goes up to collect trophies on racedays, can’t stop the nervous energy as the commentary blares out over the Berkshire track.
With his friends cheering the horse on next to him, Gemmell, who is in his 60s, raises his hands in celebration once he realises Trueshan has won.
Victory was worth a whopping £285,000, which Gemmell will share with the rest of the Singula Partnership who own the horse.
Punters were absolutely loving seeing Gemmell, a huge supporter of the sport, land another memorable win.
One said: “Blind since birth – how amazing is this!”
Another commented: “What an amazing man.”
One post read: “Makes my heart smile.”
Gemmell is perhaps best known for being the owner of Paisley Park.
The ten-year-old hurdler, trained by Emma Lavelle, has won more than £600,000 during his career and reached the top when winning the Stayers’ at the 2019 Cheltenham Festival.
Asked how celebrated that life-changing win, Gemmell said simply: “Got p***ed.”
The owner fell in love with racing after a trip to the Scottish Grand National when he was 12.
And his fondness for a punt has always been there too.
After a successful career with Westminster Council, Gemmell, who enjoyed a tipple before Hammers games in the same East End pub Bobby Moore drank at, retired aged 42.
Although he could not see, Gemmell went to hundreds of gigs – he told the BBC he’s seen The Rolling Stones 50 times.
And as a cricket fanatic has gone to Ashes Tests.
But it is with the horses he feels most at home – and specifically Paisley Park.
Remarking on the incredible bond the pair share, Levelle, who trains near Marlborough in Wiltshire, told The Jockey Club: “He [Gemelle] can get so much out of racing – the commentaries are fantastic, the feel and touch of the horses, being around the horses.
“When they are on the gallops you can feel the vibration in the ground as the horses go by.
“The horses respond to him. Paisley Park loves him. He will just stand there and let Andrew pat him.”
Did you miss our previous article…
https://www.sportingexcitement.com/horse-racing/itv-racing-star-francesca-cumani-responds-to-140000-a-day-salary-rumours-and-why-shes-disappeared-from-screens/
