Facts and Figures / Joe Dyer / 05 June 2008 / Leave a comment

Last stride tumble sees two [1.01]s downed in seconds

Verinco became the most bizarre [1.01] loser in Betfair horseracing in-running history when, in front and with the race at his mercy, he veered and unshipped his jockey Tom Eaves just yards from the line in the opening 6f maiden at Hamilton today.

Over £45,000 was matched on the horse at [1.01] on Betfair's win market, and he was also supported at the minimum price on the exchange's place market, as that is also now offered in-play.

And in a further kick in the teeth for in-running backers, the leader veering off a true course also forced Andrew Heffernan to part company on the likely runner-up, the inappropriately named Lucky Dan, which was also backed at [1.01] on Betfair to be placed.

Betfair spokesman Tony Calvin observed: "I cannot readily recall such an extreme set of events on an in-running horse racing market, or an amount as big as 45k matched on a [1.01] loser.

"I see Verinco is sired by Bahamian Bounty, and those who backed the horse certainly won't be holidaying in the Caribbean after doing their coconuts there.

"But those who laid the [1.01] on Verinco have effectively backed a 100-1 winner, and they surely won't strike a luckier bet for the rest of their lives."