In 2022, on the final day of Royal Ascot, something happened that I’ll probably never experience again in my tipping career.

I tipped my members a 150/1 winner.

The horse was Holloway Boy, who won the opening race of the day — the Chesham Stakes.
He returned at 150/1 the night before, and although he went off 40/1 SP, those early odds were, in my opinion, absolutely ludicrous.

It was the first time in my tipping life I had ever advised an unraced horse, but Karl Burke’s juvenile form at the time was exceptional. Everything about the setup told me the price was wrong.
And he didn’t just run well — he won.

It was the biggest-priced winner I’ve ever tipped.

But the day didn’t stop there.

Later on the card, I also tipped Naval Crown at 33/1 — trained by Charlie Appleby, ridden by James Doyle, and bringing strong Meydan form into the race. Again, I thought the odds seriously underestimated his chance.

Two big-priced winners on the biggest stage in racing.

Unsurprisingly, my members were buzzing.
Even more so because this came during a spell where variance had been high — several good-priced selections had just missed out on places or wins earlier in the week. To hit 150/1 and 33/1 winners on the final day felt like justice.

The Bet That Nearly Changed Everything

On a personal level, the day got even more intense.

I’d put both Holloway Boy (150/1) and Naval Crown (33/1) into a small each-way Trixie. After the second winner, I checked my bets… and realised I still had one runner to go.

The final leg was Reshoun in the Queen Alexandra Stakes at 6:10.
I had him at 16/1 (20/1 SP).

If he’d won, the return would have been around £195,000 — from just a £2 e/w Trixie (£16 total).

The funny thing is, I didn’t even realise that bet was live until I checked my slip after the second winner. When I saw it, my first thought was actually:

“I wish I’d advised this bet to members.”

That said, many members did their own perms that day and ended up winning more than the official advised returns, which genuinely made me happy.

The Most Brutal Two Minutes in Racing

Reshoun travelled beautifully in the race.

When he hit the front around the furlong pole, I genuinely thought he was going to win. In that moment, I was already bracing myself for life-changing money.

Then reality hit.

Stratum, the previous year’s winner, came past him late and won the race.

If you’ve ever experienced that moment — when you’re almost certain you’re about to win something huge, and it vanishes in seconds — you’ll understand the feeling. The room goes silent. Your body almost goes into a strange, hollow state. It’s shock, disbelief, and disappointment all rolled into one.

It’s horrible.

But then perspective returns.

Second place still meant I’d had a phenomenal day.
I finished Royal Ascot over £20,000 in profit.
My members had an unforgettable experience.
And we’d landed two massive winners on the sport’s biggest stage.

The Lesson I Took From It

It would be easy to obsess over the £195,000 that could have been won.
But that mindset is dangerous.

Gambling — and life in general — is healthier when you focus on what you did achieve, not what you nearly achieved.

I very much doubt I’ll ever tip another 150/1 winner.
I doubt I’ll ever tip a 150/1 and a 33/1 winner on the same day again.
But we created memories, delivered serious value, and proved exactly what this service is capable of.

And for me, that’s what it’s really about.