Would you describe yourself as a gambler?

A gambler with a yellow streak. I get a kick out of backing winners in horse racing, not so much because of the money but because my judgement has been vindicated.

What is the weirdest bet you've ever had?

It must have been the 1970 Champion Hurdle. I remember the Queen Mum had a horse called Escalus running. Anyway, I got caught reading the Sporting Life at the back of the class during a Latin lesson so I told the teacher there was a horse called Aesculus (meaning horse chestnut in Latin) running!

He said in that case we should all back it. I had to go round the class collecting 20p from everyone and was sent down to the bookies to put it on. It came third.

John with Medium Wave which he part-owns

Why did you decide to buy racehorses?

I've backed horses since my schooldays. I used to slink into the bookies trying to look over 18!

I had just always wanted to own racehorses. I've never been able to afford a whole one though.

What other types of gambling are you interested in?

I'll play the fruit machine until I get bored (which is about 5 minutes!). I just know that I'm never going to win. That's why I don't buy lottery tickets.

I do like to spread-bet though, on tennis and rugby mainly.

Internet Links

John Inverdale Biography