Bookie Cleaned Out after Lord Windermere Wins Cheltenham Gold Cup

Lord Windermere’s victory in the Cheltenham Gold Cup has caused betting shops to run out of money.

Last Friday was a good day to bet on sports in the UK. Bookmakers close to Jim Culloty’s stables in County Cork didn’t have time to replenish their coffers before Friday’s surprise victory, after taking a hit on Thursday’s Challenge Cup.

“The local bookies ran out of money, and that was just after Spring Heeled won. It was even worse for them after Lord Windermere,” Culloty told reporters.

The good news for fans of mobile betting is that Culloty is planning to run Lord Windermere again this season, with the main target being the Punchestown Gold Cup on April 30. The trainer will discuss this option with owner Dr Ronan Lambe, but is also considering sending Lord Windermere on a summer break, then getting him ready for next year’s Cheltenham race.

From jockey to trainer

As a jockey, Jim Culloty has won the Gold Cup three times, riding Best Mate between 2002 and 2004. Recently, the professional took a different career path, joining a team of trainers.

“It’s hard to differentiate between training one and riding one, but they’re both fantastic. As a trainer you get loads of time to think about it, but as a jockey you only have five minutes not to mess it up,” he explained.