National Trottery
£2.7m jackpot winners achieve dream of visiting every racecourse
Race horses are pretty pricey.. One had more shoes than Imelda Marcos
ELAINE THOMPSON LOTTERY WINNER
TWO horse racing fans who won the lottery have lived their dreams and visited every racecourse in the UK.
Elaine and Derek Thompson scooped a life-changing £2.7million in 1995.
But it wasn’t your usual new car or fancy holiday the pair splashed out on.
Instead they bought three racehorses and started travelling to race meetings. They gave themselves a challenge to visit all 59 racecourses in the country.
And, they finally passed the finishing post 29 years after their initial win by visiting Ludlow Racecourse, Shropshire earlier on Tuesday.
The couple, from Newcastle, who celebrate their 46th wedding anniversary this year, were able to turn their love of racing into a full-time hobby.
Derek, 65, said, “We have always loved horse racing, it’s such a great atmosphere and over the years I have learned which trainers to follow.
“We decided after our National Lottery win to travel the UK and visit every racecourse in the country.
“Originally there were 61 but two have closed down over the years. Ludlow is our 59th and final one, we have definitely saved a lovely course for last.”
The couple’s love of the sport even led them to investing in race horses in the early days of their jackpot win, however Derek said luck was never really on their side. One of the horses Kaz Kalem was quickly nicknamed Sick Note as it seemed to develop a cough before each meeting and when it did get to run it never won.
The couple’s third racehorse, Richmond Lady, whom they shared with a friend, did go on to win a race at Exeter but sadly it was such a foggy day Elaine and Derek were unable to witness it crossing the finishing line.
Elaine, 68, said, “Owning racehorses is a pretty pricey business. There are a lot of costs involved.
“One horse, a beautiful grey named Balfour Lady, needed a lot of shoes.
“I would say she had more shoes than Imelda Marcos whilst we owned her.
“It was lots of fun but we eventually decided it was probably best to focus on being punters.”
The couple’s day at Ludlow was made even more special as Elaine and Derek sponsored the longest race of the day – presenting the winning jockey and the best-turned-out horse with their prizes.
Jockey Harry Cobden won the Elaine and Derek Thompson Celebration Chase. He said: “Winning a race is always a special moment.
“But today has been made even more special by having the trophy presented to me by lucky Lotto winners themselves, Elaine and Derek. It is certainly a day which I will not forget.”
In 2020 Elaine told the Daily Mirror how she still worked nights stacking shelves at M&S. She said: “I was there two years before they knew I’d won the lottery. I’ve worked all my life. And it’s important for my children to see hard work reaps benefits.”