Paddy Power has been bashed for more than €1m by followers of champion jockey elect Richard Hughes as he rode a magnificent SEVEN out of eight winners at Windsor today.
The one that got away, Ever Fortune, saved Paddy Power at least an extra €3m as that horse finished third in the sixth race.
Richard Hughes rode seven winners from eight races at Windsor, at combined odds of 10,168-1 according to the BBC.
Hughes won on Pivotal Moment (13-8 joint favourite), East Texas Red (5-2 favourite), Embankment (7-1), Magic Secret (4-1f), Links Drive Lady (5-2f) Duke of Clarence (7-4f) and Mama Quilla (15-8f). His only defeat came as Ever Fortune finished third behind winner Valley Queen in the sixth race.
Paddy Power said: “That has cost us the guts of €1.5m. Bob Geldof says he doesn’t like Mondays – if he backs Richard Hughes he might change his tune! Hats off to everyone who followed him in. It’s a shame he couldn’t make it a great eight!
Our bacon was saved by Ever Fortune being turned over and also by the fact that Ryan Moore was originally meant to ride the last winner, so multiple punters following Hughsie wouldn’t have included it as they wouldn’t have known about the jockey change.
Hughes (39) equals the achievement of Frankie Dettori, the only other jockey to ride seven winners on a card in the UK which he did on Queen Elizabeth II Stakes day at Ascot in 1996.
Richard Hughes’ magnificent seven winners at Windsor
- 1400: Pivotal Moment 13-8jf Won
- 1430: East Texas Red (5-2f) Won
- 1505: Embankment 7-1 Won
- 1535: Magic Secret (4-1f) Won
- 1610: Links Drive Lady (5-2f) Won
- (1640: Ever Fortune (2-1f) Third)
- 1710: Duke of Clarence 7-4 f Won
- 1740: Mama Quilla 15-8f Won
A great achievement, but on the downside 6 of the 7 were favourites, and so in theory they should have won!