Harry Findlay is one of the most extravagant gamblers the world has ever seen, and he has experienced all the highs and lows from punting big throughout his adult life.
Findlay has quite literally been through it all. He has served time in prison, won vast sums of money and even been declared bankrupt.
It almost sounds like something from a Hollywood film script. But who exactly is Harry Findlay and what are his most famous bets?
Who is Harry Findlay?
Born in High Wycombe in 1962, Harry Findlay is an English professional gambler. When he was 15 or 16, Findlay experienced his first notable betting win at the greyhounds and hasn’t looked back since.
His passion for betting really started to heighten when he worked for a bookmaker and in greyhound kennels. With that said, he never really held down a ‘normal’ job. Gambling was his career.
Findlay is an unusual punter in the sense he relies mainly on his instinct and gut feeling. It’s an incredibly brave ploy to stand by, but it has worked for Findlay.
Having won millions and lost thousands, Findlay’s lowest ebb came in his 20s when he was sent to Brixton prison. He was convicted of credit-card fraud and served 11 months.
Findlay has also owned racehorses and greyhounds throughout his life and has been married to his wife, Kay, for three decades.
There has even been a book written about Findlay’s life called Gambling for Life. It is most certainly worth a read.
Harry Findlay Famous Bet
Harry Findlay caught the eye of the public back in 2007 when placing a huge bet on the Rugby World Cup. New Zealand were playing France in a quarter-final clash.
The game itself was witnessed by Findlay and some close friends in a box at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium. He wagered an eye-watering £2.5m on an All Blacks victory.
At half-time, the bet was looking good with New Zealand leading 13-3 – but Findlay’s instincts and gut feelings kicked-in.
He placed a large bet on the French to comeback and win and low and behold, they did. It’s thought that Findlay recuperated around £600k but he still lost a fortune.
Harry Findlay Horse Racing
Horse racing is another sport whereby Harry Findlay experienced the highs and lows of high-level punting. He was the part owner of Denman, who famously won the Cheltenham Gold Cup in 2008.
Findlay actually won just £33k on the same horse a year prior when he lumped £360k on the Gelding at a meeting in Bangor-on-Dee. He would later claim it was one of the easiest wins of his career.
Findlay would also go on to win a cool £1m on Denman at Cheltenham, also in 2007.
However, Findlay would feel the wrath of his overzealous punting a short while after when he was banned from the authorities.
He staked 80k on one of his own runners at Exeter but his ‘trusted’ instincts kicked-in again and he also bet £18k on the same horse to lose. Naturally, it did.
Findlay would do the same thing a few years later and he was hit with a six-month ban from horse racing. After he appealed, it was reduced to a £4.5k fine.
Harry Findlay Bankrupt
It almost went so terribly wrong for Harry Findlay when he was declared bankrupt after a failed business venture in 2013.
His love of dog racing saw him fork out £1.7m to establish Coventry Stadium as the centre of greyhound racing in the UK.
However, Findlay was unable to gain an official BAGS [Bookmakers Afternoon Greyhound Service] contract. This meant he wasn’t able to make it a profitable business and he had to cut his losses.
Findlay is understood to have sold various cars and even remortgaged properties to stay afloat. He really is a professional gambler who lives on the edge. And seemingly enjoys it very much.
Add Sportslens to your Google News Feed!
