RICHARD BRANSON might want to wind his Necker in – after punters questioned his claim about backing the 50-1 Grand National winner.
The billionaire Virgin founder posted a photo on Instagram showing himself and his family watching last Saturday’s race from Aintree.
Branson, 71, said: “I’ve only bet on horses twice in my life – a 100-1 winner at the Kentucky Derby, and our dear friend Sam Waley-Cohen’s incredible 50-1 winner at the Grand National!
“Congratulations Sam and all the family. Sam has now retired from racing horses.
“I’m now planning to retire from betting on horses!”
The post of a topless Branson savouring the action had just shy of 16,000 likes at the time of writing.
But cynical punters were quick to question the validity of Branson‘s bets.
Two bets, one at 100-1 and 50-1, have a 5,150-1 chance of coming in.
In other words, stratospheric odds.
But Branson is not short of a bob or two, so let’s say he put £100 on the double.
That would return a whopping £515,000 pure profit.
Branson attempted to clear up any confusion by writing in his blog: “I was definitely born under a lucky star.
“I’ve only bet on horse racing twice in my life.
“The first time was at the Kentucky Derby in 2005, which was the first racing meet I’d ever attended.
EXPERTS LAUGHED AT MY 100-1 TIP
“I ran into Jerry Moss, an old friend from the music business who co-founded A&M Records with Herb Albert.
“I asked him if he was still in the industry, and he explained he now bred horses.
“He had entered his first horse in the race – Giacomo. But it was a 100-1 outsider, so he didn’t recommend betting on it.
“A few minutes later, reporters from CNN and ESPN spotted me and I agreed to a live interview.
“When they asked for my tip, I said Giacomo, as it was the only horse I knew.
“The experts laughed at my outsider suggestion, but everyone around my stand had a flutter on it.
“Lo and behold, the 100-1 outsider won the race – winning Jerry the largest ever first-place purse from the Kentucky Derby.
“The reporters came rushing back with one question: how did I know Giacomo was going to win?! Beginner’s luck, I guess.
“Fast forward to this weekend’s Grand National, where our close family friend Sam Waley-Cohen was riding in his final ever race.
CLOSE MATE LANDS 50-1 GAMBLE
“He is a 39-year-old amateur jockey and successful entrepreneur, who decided to have one last go at achieving his lifelong dream of winning the Grand National.
“His horse, Noble Yeats, was a 50-1 outsider bought by his father Robert just two months ago.
“We had a roomful of friends and family cheering him on Necker.
“The grandkids were so excited as I pointed at the screen showing him move up from 20th all the way to the front.
“Unbelievably, he won the race. As Holly said: ‘I’ve never shouted at the TV more, and never cried so much with a sporting result’.”
However, one sceptical punter wrote: “Hmm, how many times has his dear old friend Sam ridden in the Grand National? Yet backs him once only at 50-1.”
Another, in reference to Noble Yeats’ early price, joked: “Shame he missed the 66s.”
A fellow punter posted a crying laughter face emoji with the message: “Heartwarming stuff.”
While another said: “Of course we believe you.”
Mind you, if anyone knows how to turn a profit it’s Branson.
Billionaire businessman Branson has been winning big on punts all his life
https://www.sportingexcitement.com/horse-racing/jockey-major-charlie-oshea-taken-off-ventilator-and-has-sedation-reduced-after-serious-chest-injuries-in-horror-fall/
