Talking Horses: Barney Curley deserves the greatest gambler tag


A legend of the turf for whom personal tragedy led to his raising millions of pounds to transform thousands of lives in Zambia

The turf and its betting rings have been an irresistible attraction to many colourful and controversial characters over the last three centuries and Barney Curley, who died on Sunday at the age of 81, deserves to be remembered as perhaps the greatest gambler of them all.

The Yellow Sam coup in 1975, when Curley arranged for an accomplice to occupy the only phone at Bellewstown racecourse to prevent off-course bookies sending money to the track to shorten Yellow Sam’s odds, secured his legendary status among punters almost half a century ago.

Related: Barney Curley, betting mastermind and charity pioneer, dies aged 81

Worcester 1.00 Eglantine Du Seuil 1.30 Out For Justice 2.05 Blazing Saddles 2.40 Whitlock 3.15 Kentford Mallard 3.45 Jac Brown 4.15 Brief Ambition 4.45 Faint Hope

Carlisle 1.00 Korker 1.35 Ventura Flame 2.10 Dream Composer 2.40 Yukon Mission 3.15 Iris Dancer 3.45 Miss Trixie 4.20 Frankenstella 4.50 Zoravan

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