Royal Ascot bookie loses £367,000 after five favourites win on Ladies Day
Star Sports described it as 'a black, black day' which started with the shortest priced favourite of the week, Charles Darwin, landing the first race
A Royal Ascot bookie lost £367,000 on Ladies Day after favourites won five of the seven races. The five day royal meeting is the biggest betting event of the year in Flat racing when many high rollers are present to place large bets with the bookmakers in the betting ring.
Star Sports, which has two pitches on the site, has a reputation for accepting bets of up to six figures. But once the day started with the odds-on Aidan O'Brien-trained Charles Darwin capturing the first race, there was little respite thereafter.
Kaan Hughes, head of Star Sports on course, said: 'It's a painful start after yesterday was good. We've given it all back and more in the first, a bad, bad result.
'All the faces were on and they knew. We've done six figures in the first and we done the each way money in the third. Between the two firms we are on the back foot early. It's only going to get worse at this stage.'
More detail was shared on Simon Nott's Star Sports blog which related that one punter placed a £40,000 bet to win £50,000 on Charles Darwin with Star Sports and in the next the firm paid out one of £20,000 staked on second race winner Merchant, collecting £70,000. The pitch lost nearly £60,000 on the race.
The biggest bet taken on the Gold Cup was one of £42,500 on Trawlerman, who made all the running to take the feature prize.
In the sixth race Trinity College was the fourth favourite to win with Nott commenting: 'It appeared the big punters wanted to finish Star Sports off on the day, not just the meeting.'
In the final race, won by another favourite Never So Brave, the firm had taken a bet of £10,000 which earned them £50,000.
'The Tatts book lost £15,849 but the rail won £2,781 on the race and copped £15,276 on the day, the Tatts pitch fared less well, losing £367,990. A black black day."
The results were bad for bookmakers betting off course as well and William Hill spokesperson Lee Phelps said: 'When five winning favourites go in on a Royal Ascot card, us bookies are always going to be licking our wounds.
'Charles Darwin, Merchant, Trawlerman, Trinity College and Never So Brave's wins have seen the punters begin to claw back after the first two days saw us well clear, but it's still all to play for in the final two days.
'Friday's business looks to be defined by the Coronation Stakes and the Commonwealth Cup. If we can get either Falakeyah or Zarigana beat in the Coronation, that'll be a real touch, and the same can be said for Shadow Of Light in the Commonwealth Cup.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Western Telegraph
30 minutes ago
- Western Telegraph
Charles and Camilla hoping runner will win at Royal Ascot
Charles and Camilla have seen their racing hopes dashed twice this week when their much fancied thoroughbreds were well beaten. But Purple Rainbow will be running in the aptly named Sandringham Stakes over a mile and could add to the couple's first Royal Ascot winner in 2023. Queen Camilla arrives by carriage on day four of Royal Ascot (James Manning/PA) Racegoers have been given a respite for the moment from this week's sweltering conditions, with hazy cloud over the Berkshire race course keeping temperatures below Thursday's record highs. Will Aitkenhead, head of corporate and industry affairs at the track, said: 'Whilst there are no plans to ease the dress code at this stage, we are conscious of rising temperatures through the day and will monitor the situation. We will be handing out bottled water to guests on arrival and have worked hard overnight to provide more shaded areas.' Former defence secretary Ben Wallace and Princess Eugenie arriving at Royal Ascot (Andrew Matthews/PA) The King and Queen were joined by Camilla's old school friend Lady Cavendish and her husband Lord Cavendish in their coach during the traditional carriage procession along the course. Among the guests travelling in the carriages were the former Emir of Qatar Sheikh Hamad, the Queen's Companion the Marchioness of Lansdowne and musical maestro Lord Lloyd-Webber. Princess Eugenie, her husband Jack Brooksbank and mother Sarah, Duchess of York were spotted in the parade ring alongside former defence secretary Ben Wallace and Zara Tindall when the royal procession arrived in the exclusive area. Charles speaking to his niece Eugenie after arriving in the carriage procession (Andrew Matthews/PA) The late Queen was a passionate owner and breeder of thoroughbreds and had more than 20 Royal Ascot winners during her 70-year reign. Charles and Camilla have taken on her stable of horses and enjoyed their first Royal Ascot winner in 2023 when their horse Desert Hero triumphed in the King George V Stakes.
Leader Live
36 minutes ago
- Leader Live
Inisherin returning to scene of finest hour in great form
Kevin Ryan's speedball was one of the most impressive winners of the entire meeting 12 months ago when blitzing his rivals in the Commonwealth Cup, so it was a little underwhelming that he could only finish fifth in Newmarket's July Cup next time and he really disappointed in the Sprint Cup at Haydock. However, having undergone wind surgery during the off-season, Inisherin bounced back to form when landing the 1895 Duke of York Stakes on his seasonal debut last month and Adam Ryan, assistant to his father, expects him to take his game to another level on Saturday. He was pushed all the way to the line, but Inisherin is back to winning ways, holding off a charge from Flora Of Bermuda to win the 1895 Duke Of York Clipper Stakes Ryan Moore | @kevinryanracing — York Racecourse (@yorkracecourse) May 14, 2025 'We made no secret of the fact he was only about 80 per cent at York and we feel he's taken a big step forward in his training since,' he said. 'We're delighted with him and really looking forward to Saturday. The stiff six (furlongs) obviously suited him down to the ground last year, so you can't be anything but happy coming back here. 'It's going to be a top-class race, we're under no illusions, but I wouldn't swap him for anything. 'They don't give Group Ones away, but as I say I wouldn't be swapping our fella for anything in the world. Hopefully it's a good race and if he runs his race he should be there or thereabouts.' Royal Ascot sprints are international affairs these days and this year's renewal is no exception, with Inisherin joined at the head of the market by leading contenders from France and Japan. Satono Reve is a fascinating challenger from the Far East, who produced a sparkling workout in Newmarket last week, while Lazzat has been a star for Jerome Reynier, winning his first six career starts before being touched by the William Haggas-trained Lake Forest in the Golden Eagle in Australia. A tilt at the Hong Kong Mile did not pay off and he was also beaten on his first start of this year at Saint-Cloud, but a dominant display on his most recent start in a Listed event at Chantilly was enough to persuade powerhouse owners Wathnan Racing to step in ahead of his British debut. 'Lazzat is a horse we've been following for a very long time and he was unlucky in Australia in the Golden Eagle at the back-end of last year and it was a similar story in Hong Kong, which didn't pan out for him either,' said Wathnan's racing adviser Richard Brown. 'But we were deeply impressed with what he did in France on his comeback run, the time was very good and I think the straight six furlongs at Ascot will be right up his street. Six and seven should be his best distances, so a stiff six should be perfect for him. 'He's a great addition to the team and we're looking forward to seeing him in the Wathnan colours.' The Qatar-based operation have a second string to their bow with another new recruit in Andrew Balding's Flora Of Bermuda, who was a neck second to Inisherin at York in mid-May. Brown added: 'She ran a great race behind Inisherin at York and was arguably unlucky not to have won that day, it's great to have her on the team. 'The draw (stall four) is probably not the best, but she's a filly who comes from behind and hopefully it won't impede her chances too much. She's a really admirable filly and we're looking forward to seeing her run.' Lazzat is joined on the trip across the Channel by Topgear, who has won his last three starts over seven furlongs for Christopher Head. Topgear returns with a smart front-running performance in the Group Three Prix du Palais-Royal at ParisLongchamp! 🇫🇷 — At The Races (@AtTheRaces) May 25, 2025 Other runners include Aidan O'Brien's Australian recruit Storm Boy, who needs to put a disappointing Irish debut behind him, and Clive Cox's pair of outsiders James's Delight and Jasour, with the latter turning out quickly after finishing down the field in Tuesday's King Charles III Stakes. Cox said: 'Jasour has come back very well after Tuesday. It wasn't the early plan (to run again) but he has come back very well indeed and I think six furlongs is definitely more his gig. 'James's Delight was excellent in Ireland (last time out). He's also in good form but he wouldn't have minded easier ground. He's in great shape though and is looking to follow up a very exciting success on the Curragh.'
Glasgow Times
36 minutes ago
- Glasgow Times
Inisherin returning to scene of finest hour in great form
Kevin Ryan's speedball was one of the most impressive winners of the entire meeting 12 months ago when blitzing his rivals in the Commonwealth Cup, so it was a little underwhelming that he could only finish fifth in Newmarket's July Cup next time and he really disappointed in the Sprint Cup at Haydock. However, having undergone wind surgery during the off-season, Inisherin bounced back to form when landing the 1895 Duke of York Stakes on his seasonal debut last month and Adam Ryan, assistant to his father, expects him to take his game to another level on Saturday. He was pushed all the way to the line, but Inisherin is back to winning ways, holding off a charge from Flora Of Bermuda to win the 1895 Duke Of York Clipper Stakes Ryan Moore | @kevinryanracing — York Racecourse (@yorkracecourse) May 14, 2025 'We made no secret of the fact he was only about 80 per cent at York and we feel he's taken a big step forward in his training since,' he said. 'We're delighted with him and really looking forward to Saturday. The stiff six (furlongs) obviously suited him down to the ground last year, so you can't be anything but happy coming back here. 'It's going to be a top-class race, we're under no illusions, but I wouldn't swap him for anything. 'They don't give Group Ones away, but as I say I wouldn't be swapping our fella for anything in the world. Hopefully it's a good race and if he runs his race he should be there or thereabouts.' Royal Ascot sprints are international affairs these days and this year's renewal is no exception, with Inisherin joined at the head of the market by leading contenders from France and Japan. Satono Reve carries Japanese hopes at Royal Ascot (Adam Morgan/PA) Satono Reve is a fascinating challenger from the Far East, who produced a sparkling workout in Newmarket last week, while Lazzat has been a star for Jerome Reynier, winning his first six career starts before being touched by the William Haggas-trained Lake Forest in the Golden Eagle in Australia. A tilt at the Hong Kong Mile did not pay off and he was also beaten on his first start of this year at Saint-Cloud, but a dominant display on his most recent start in a Listed event at Chantilly was enough to persuade powerhouse owners Wathnan Racing to step in ahead of his British debut. 'Lazzat is a horse we've been following for a very long time and he was unlucky in Australia in the Golden Eagle at the back-end of last year and it was a similar story in Hong Kong, which didn't pan out for him either,' said Wathnan's racing adviser Richard Brown. 'But we were deeply impressed with what he did in France on his comeback run, the time was very good and I think the straight six furlongs at Ascot will be right up his street. Six and seven should be his best distances, so a stiff six should be perfect for him. 'He's a great addition to the team and we're looking forward to seeing him in the Wathnan colours.' The Qatar-based operation have a second string to their bow with another new recruit in Andrew Balding's Flora Of Bermuda, who was a neck second to Inisherin at York in mid-May. Brown added: 'She ran a great race behind Inisherin at York and was arguably unlucky not to have won that day, it's great to have her on the team. 'The draw (stall four) is probably not the best, but she's a filly who comes from behind and hopefully it won't impede her chances too much. She's a really admirable filly and we're looking forward to seeing her run.' Lazzat is joined on the trip across the Channel by Topgear, who has won his last three starts over seven furlongs for Christopher Head. Topgear returns with a smart front-running performance in the Group Three Prix du Palais-Royal at ParisLongchamp! 🇫🇷 — At The Races (@AtTheRaces) May 25, 2025 Other runners include Aidan O'Brien's Australian recruit Storm Boy, who needs to put a disappointing Irish debut behind him, and Clive Cox's pair of outsiders James's Delight and Jasour, with the latter turning out quickly after finishing down the field in Tuesday's King Charles III Stakes. Cox said: 'Jasour has come back very well after Tuesday. It wasn't the early plan (to run again) but he has come back very well indeed and I think six furlongs is definitely more his gig. 'James's Delight was excellent in Ireland (last time out). He's also in good form but he wouldn't have minded easier ground. He's in great shape though and is looking to follow up a very exciting success on the Curragh.'
