BBC SPORT | Special Events | 2001 | Epsom Derby

On Friday, BBC Sport Online told of the Epsom pub that claims to tip the Derby winner every year.

Just over 24 hours later, regulars were celebrating another famous victory. Frank Keogh reports.

The writing was on the well. The well outside The Amato inn had the name Galileo chalked on it six days before the Epsom Derby.

It was the name of the winner, they said. They were right.

And the celebrations went on long into the night after the Irish horse's thrilling triumph in the world's most famous Flat race.

Locals at the pub, a mile or so from the course, swear by the tradition where a name is written by a mysterious anonymous tipster on the well outside the hostelry in Chalk Lane.

They reckon it was the fourth, or maybe fifth Derby winner, in seven years.

The tradition, said to be a Gipsy oath passed down the generations, has been around for decades.

The famous well at the Amato with
The infamous well was correct once again
A regular at the pub who everyone merely calls "Buster" probably knows exactly how long, but has not been in the best of health.

Yet he gave himself and the rest of the pub a tonic, and no doubt the odd gin, when he followed up the success of Galileo by tipping Bishop's Court, the winner of the next race up the road.

There was barely a dry eye, and many a dry glass, in the public house after that victory.

Maureen Kelling, who manages the pub with her husband Joe, was revelling in her first Derby at the lucky pub. having taken over in February.

"The whole place is in uproar. Put it this way, it's manic," said Maureen, wisely realising this was not a day for under-statement.

Earlier, a big television had been brought downstairs into the pub's cosy lounge so about 30 regulars could watch the big race live on BBC TV and cheer on Galileo.

"Everyone got really into it, this is the horse they were all backing," said Maureen.

"Afterwards, they were all dancing, all really going mad."

Magic well

Galileo was one of the leading contenders for the race, and had been tipped by BBC Five Live's Cornelius Lysaght in his preview of the big race for Sport Online.

So, all the signs were there for the 11/4 joint-favourite.

Of course, the cynics among us refused to let sentiment get in the way of punting and preferred to fancy fellow market leader Golan instead. He was second.

But those who believe in the magic of the well - and the pub gets calls from around the world asking which horse's name has been scrawled on it - felt their faith had been justified.

As if there was not enough indicators at the inn named after the 1838 Derby winner Amato, another arrived on Friday night.

"A guy asked me to phone him a cab," said Maureen, whose selection came 10th in the race last year when she did not have the benefit of the pub tip.

"He was the one who was picking up Galileo and bringing him to Epsom - there was eight bodyguards round the horse."

Well, I never!


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