Cubone - The Gambling Historian!

I was sitting with my Bot,(Computor, waiting to be instructed when and what to back. in the Big Race, during the Epsom meeting..and as I looked at the TV i was astounded by the lack of attendance on the EPSOM HILL” I could not believe what I was seeing. and began to recall my attendances over the past 55 years.
One of the first days, I witnessed was the day that Lester Pigott, rode his first winner Never Say Die,
My family were betting in a small enclosure of 12 Bookmakers..
This was with the grace and favour of the old racecourse Mafia. 1950,s style. controlled the betting.
We knew that we would be called upon to pay for water, chalk, and runners, althouigh we didnt need these it was just a charge that went back to the Sibini,s and Brummie Gangs, from the 1920.s. and was no more than a black mail if we wished to operate.
We also knew that some unknown Bookie who had died, (We had to take there word for that fact) leaving his wife and 8 Children destitute would be required to receive, the proceeds of a collection. woe betide any one who failed or refused to contribute.
Funny but every year a Bookmaker would die during the week prior to Epsom Festival.
On the day in question, there was Gypsy Rose Leigh grafting in front of our site, with her large glass Ball.
In here very best Prince Monolulu type retort, “I can see every thing, in my little crystal Ball and I can see a young lad riding into the history books” she was right for a change..
After 16 year old Lester rode the winner, she went crazy. telling every one in the vicinity she had tipped the winner.at 33/1..
A few moments later she almost fainted when she found that the 12th Bookmaker in the line had absconded (Welched) leaving all the punters who had chosen him to bet with, and that included Rosie, with nothing but a ticket, to remember the historical event by. she had failed to look closer into her Ball. if she had she would have seen this man, striding towards the Winning Post public house, 200 yards outside the course. at the very same moment Never Say Die was being ridden clear.
As the horses for todays Derby were being placed in there stalls I could not help but to be amazed at the few punters, there and to remember that 40 years ago there would be have been 100,000 on the Hill, many arround the start, in fact one year I bet in this position along with 5 other bookmakers but here was the site of no more than 100 watching the start, not enough buiseness for a childrens tea party today, never mind enough to make a Book, worse still; as the runners rounded Tatenham Corner I could not help shed a tear, were there used to be 5,000 along this running rail i could see a very thin line of punters.no great cheer like the great years of the past.
I could not stop myself from gazing towards the wall at the back of my office were a print of “Derby Day” by W.P .Frith, proudly hangs. also in the print you can see,
The Tent of her majesties, soldiers, (The Brigade of Guards Tent) in full dress. a wonderful site, only bettered by the ones at Ascot. in the painting you could see every class of UK folk, from the London,workers, and there family who had arrived the day before so as not to miss the great event. This was a British institution, many parties having there yearly treat. it may have been a good riddance to get rid of many of the people shown in this print, but they have also made it to expensive for the ordinary racegoers, that attended in there 10s of thousands. in fact after the two wars, Derby Day was the years great sporting event along with the FA Cup. one not to be missed.
You may say it was a good to see that those depicted in the painting are certainly not missed,, however it is sad to see them replaced with a blank empty field., were have the punters gone.? you cant say it is the credit crunch that has caused there disaperance, being poor or even destitute never stopped the working class from getting on the FREE HILL in the past.for the Derby. so I can only assume that the reason for the death of the Sport of Kings or Queens greatest day out is nothing to do with the crunch. or even PB Brown, but the greed, of the racecourses executives.
I guess Epsom,s racecourse leaders have caused this demise, and that is very sad indeed.
Let the people who still love a day out racing get in the track for nothing.

Cubone.