They say a picture is worth a thousand words.
Sometimes words say more…
In truth, I started a horse racing blog to make a living. I’d always had a passion for horse racing which meant I could write with insight detailing something more about my chosen niche of two-year-old horse racing.
If there was a competition about being the best, I’d be there lined up with the starting blocks, go-faster striped tracksuit and a dream.
I guess you could say I have been a successful blogger. I’ve had articles reach the top of the search engines, in well-known publications, millions of page views and made a few quid. The greatest accomplishment is knowing more about two-year-old horse racing than anyone on this planet.
I can hear you saying: ‘So, you won that race!’
Probably the best part of being a horse racing blogger is the people you meet. In fact, it’s something I didn’t really consider until it happened. These things have a way of coming to fruition without thinking too much about them. It’s like a natural progression.
Firstly, let’s meet Jerry Banks a professional gambler from Lowestoft. I contacted Jerry a number of years ago when we exchanged links on our website. I helped him set up his domain and one day we decided to have a day at the races.
With Great Yarmouth just down the road from his home town, it was the ideal venue to catch up and enjoy a belated meeting. It took me just over two hours to get there by train, changing at Ely and Norwich.
We had arranged to meet at the Troll Cart, Market Gates at 12:30 sharp.
Jerry arrived a few moments later. I’d seen a photo on Jerry’s blog [Jerry’s Best Bets] and looking for a man wearing a hat. He texted a few minutes before arriving so I was on the lookout for a man wearing spectacles, head of grey hair and Racing Post under his arm. A broad Suffolk accent and an outstretched hand started a friendship. After a pint of Guinness and pina coloda with umbrella (only joking I had a lager) we got a taxi to the course.
A few more pints, a bet or two and back into town we headed to the Savoy Tandoori Indian restaurant. A popadum starter followed by a lamb dish of some kind and I opted for chicken tikka masala, pilau rice & peshwari naan bread. My lager had turned into a coke that tasted too sweet and Jerry started on a the rum.
It’s always interesting hearing about someone’s gambling perspective and thoughts on life. We can all learn from others but it’s better still to enjoy the company of kind, decent like-minded people.
At nine o’clock it was time for Jerry to get the bus back to good old Lowestoft and I walked round the corner to Andover House Hotel.
It was a great day.