Curley gamble hits bookies
Three of the runners – Agapanthus, Savaronola and Somersturm – were trained by Barney Curley, the famed Northern Ireland professional gambler and entrepreneur, while Jeu De Roseau was having his first run for Chris Grant, having previously been trained by Andrew Stringer.
Agapanthus scored at Brighton and Savaronola obliged at Wolverhampton, but Somersturm failed at the latter venue. Jeu De Roseau – his first run for 742 days – just got up at Towcester, going off at 6-4 yesterday evening having been available at 25-1 that morning.
William Hill spokesman David Hood said: “No doubt the plotters have landed a few quid.
“It is impossible to gauge what has been landed, maybe seven figures, but I do know that it could have been a lot worse.”
Curley is famous for the Yellow Sam betting coup at Bellewstown on June 26, 1975. He made a profit of over IR£300,000 (€1.7m adjusted for inflation) – one of the largest betting coups in Irish racing history as a result of the horse’s win.
