Jamie Reid

@geoffbanksbet Wonderful

When I was young I'd go racing with my Father. My role, as dogsbody, was to watch for the big hitters and find out what they were backing. Read the tic tac, lay the bets. In those days few bets were turned down by any rails firm. Standing serenely next to us stood a man, often with a little trilby, with a genial smile, and puffing a pipe Laying bets to win fortunes without worry Did he ever turn down a bet? No Was he ever under the market? No Was he judgemental at this novice working for his Dad next door? No. In fact he was kind, and had plenty of pearls of wisdom which I remember to this day. He was, in bookmaking terms, a giant. He never discussed the bets he laid. Never crowed when he won, nor scowled when he lost He was a bookmaker in the tradition of the best of the code. And his relations with punters was always genial When yeats won his 20th Ascot Gold Cup, he laid the horse to win in excess of 150 grand to lose. When it passed the post in front, he simply remarked 'that was impressive' with a little smile And that's what he was. Impressive. To those who knew and loved him, to those who worked for him. He backed his greatest horse to win a hundred grand off me at York, just for fun. The immense Sole Power, who couldn't stand the damp, but was unstoppable on firm. I celebrated his win in the paddock with the family. He loved the horses and he owned some greats, including the immense Slade Power David Power. The greatest Irish bookmaker. Of that celebrated family of layers, long before the bean counters arrived I will miss this man deeply

@BenStarSports One of bookmaking and racing’s greatest characters in an unforgettable era.

What a life Mickey Fletcher; a true character. The best operator I saw work on the Rails, pre boards A Trader, worker of cards, & mover of money People dont know; has travelled the world relentlessly between work HAPPY BIRTHDAY WHEREVER YOU ARE IN THE WORLD, MICKEY. MANY MORE x

@BenStarSports Well said Ben. If we want to play we have to pay. I was a doubter too but it was a scintillating performance

Tweet of The Day: I thought City of Troy was a massive lay and got my bum smacked accordingly. Hats off and congratulations to connections.

@RobertBathurst @derekpringle Wonderful

@derekpringle My mother always said he walked to the crease looking shifty, as though he’d just nicked the silver.

Happy 80th birthday to my old Essex captain, Keith Fletcher…. guru, gnome, Mad Mahdi and, when the inspiration was low, reader of tea leaves

@BenStarSports Bravo, Ben. It certainly feels like the Coolmore marketing team are writing the script here.

I can't wait to lay the comeback-mission of City of Troy. They'll all be out, pushing their chests out, to get their money back, full of excuses and still burning hype, and will take all prices down.

@TanyaStevenson1 Spot on. A wonderful character and if the great Paul Carberry couldn’t quite win a Champion Hurdle on him no-one else would have done any better

Harchibald was popular because he had character, immense ability and instigated us to debate what would happen in any race he ran in. While remembering him I’m smiling because he wrote himself a whole chapter of racing folklore and we all have our colourful memories of him.

@BenStarSports @thebullett59 Thanks so much Ben. Very best to you and your family too.

@JamieReid100 @thebullett59 Many more, Jamie xx

Barry Cope's seafood-stall terribly missed across UK racecourses

@BenStarSports @jayneleggett @TheJockeyClub You are so right Ben, Barry Cope’s stalls were wonderful. Especially at Sandown and Newbury. Delicious fresh fish from Whitstable and great value. Better days

@jayneleggett @TheJockeyClub And exceptional quality & fair prices

@geoffbanksbet One of the greatest bookmakers and most fantastic characters ever to set foot on a racecourse

If you awoke my Father from eternal rest and said Today's big corp gaming comoanies, based in strange countries, with foreign staff, want to snoop into your bank account, restrict you to pennies, give you a pound free bet? And if you don't comply they will close your account? He simply wouldn't believe it

@JohnWathenBerry Absolutely ludicrous suggestions by Newland. As Michael Looby says he’s completely lost the plot

Amazed anyone views where best horses are trained as indicator of health of GB NH racing. What’s relevant is total of NH horses in training in GB; total of runners in season; field sizes. What matters for Cheltenham is that best horses run, irrespective of where they’re trained.

@davidjashforth I’m not doing too badly, thanks David. Very best to you.

@JamieReid100 Thanks Jamie. I'm hopeful and I hope all is going well with you. All the best.

Just been diagnosed with bowel cancer to go with my prostate cancer. I think people should be restricted to one type of cancer at a time.

@helynsar He’s a wonderful writer. He’s got a natural talent for it as well as riding horses. And his grandmother was a very special woman.

Took my time getting round to reading it, but Patrick's tribute to his granny is pitch perfect.

@PATCASH75589117 @BenStarSports @StarSports_Bet @BHalochem @MOTL_UK_ @Boystownj It was yesterday’s edition Pat. Friday the 24th.

@JamieReid100 @BenStarSports @StarSports_Bet @BHalochem @MOTL_UK_ @Boystownj What days times was that pal I go lubarary every sat morning they’ve the weeks editions there

The blatant & vicious antisemitism in London recently has been simply horrific to witness & v frightening for so many good Jewish people involved in the UK bettingcommunity. @StarSports_Bet are delighted to have been able to support @BHalochem Scott Saunders @MOTL_UK_& @Boystownj

@CDCHistory The New Casanova Club was run by Victor Chandler’s father Victor senior. By all accounts Pauline Wallis was a great character

Yellow Printer - considered by some to be the fastest greyhound ever - with owner Pauline Wallis O’Donnell at her New Casanova Club (a Mayfair Casino).

@edward_whitaker @GBPhotoAwards Brilliant as always Edward. Congratulations.

I'm delighted that this photo I took of Carlos Alcaraz at Wimbledon has been shortlisted in the sports category for The British Photography Awards @GBPhotoAwards. britishphotographyawards.org/2023-gallery

@SimonNott Excellent news Simon.

On my way home from hospital. Thanks for all the messages, they really were lovely to read. I’m under orders for some rest before setting my sights on a return to the turf.

@SimonNott I'm sorry to see you there, Simon. Get well soon. Very best wishes.

Should be out of ICU today. Fingers crossed.