Islington Tribune - by JAMIE WELHAM Published: 7 September 2007
Albert Payne, second from right, celebrates his winnings with staff from William Hill
£100,000 payout for Albert, the bookie’s best customer
A PENSIONER is celebrating after an £8 flutter landed him more than £100,000 when all six of his horses romped home. Retired lorry driver Albert Payne, 67, from Clerkenwell, scooped £107,185 after a punt on the Scoop 6 game at the White Lion branch of William Hill on Saturday.
Mr Payne, who has been visiting the betting shop twice a week for more than eight years, puts his win down to up-and-coming jockey William Buick, who rode Coconut Moon and Vanderlin to victory at Chester.
He said: “I’d read in some of the papers how well regarded he is, so I stuck in his two rides and they both won. “I’ve just about made all the money back I’ve spent in this shop over the years. I’m their best customer.”
He is thinking about taking his wife on holiday with his winnings. “A holiday is definitely on the cards,” he said. “I’ve always wanted to go on a cruise so we might treat ourselves and go away at Christmas.”
He added: “But I’ve got to be careful because I’m taking the family to Kempton on Saturday and what I’m like that could be half of my money gone.”
Amazingly, Mr Payne has the chance to treble his earnings if he can pick the winner in a yet-to-be-decided race at Kempton or Haydock tomorrow (Saturday).
“I’m not feeling the pressure at the moment but it’s a heck of a lot more money to win,” he said. “I can’t do anything until I see the runners and riders. I’ll be looking down the card to see if William Buick has a ride. I just wish I knew who was riding now.”