Big Buck’s has cost the bookmaking industry a staggering £50 million over the past three years at Cheltenham, according to Ladbrokes.
The Paul Nicholls’ trained superstar completed an historic hat-trick by becoming the first horse ever to win the Ladbrokes World Hurdle three years on the trot.
And despite clobbering the bookies for £15 million on a sun-drenched day at Cheltenham, big race sponsors Ladbrokes led the tributes to the hurdling great.
David Williams of Ladbrokes said: “We’ve been wiped out on the race but we’re not in the mood for a moan. It was an historic moment in racing and we were thrilled to be a part of it.
“What we’ve lost in our trading department we will more than make up for in marketing. Big Buck’s is the punters’ hero and we adore him too.”
The sponsors had offered a stand-out 5/4 about Big Buck’s winning the race on Thursday morning before watching as punters hammered him into odds-on at the start.
“Punters couldn’t get enough of Big Buck’s. We dared to put our heads above the parapet in the morning and by lunchtime we were staring down the barrel of a mega-gamble” added Williams.
The firm offer even money that the 8 year old will return next year to land a FOURTH Ladbrokes World Hurdle.
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