Another Magnificent Seven: Sport, Racing And Society Story

Another Magnificent Seven

Richard Hughes achieves a “Magnificent Seven” On the 28th September 1996, Frankie Dettori, at odds of 20,095-1 rode seven winners on seven horses in the seven races of the day at Ascot. His achievement cost the betting industry some £40 million and became known as the “Magnificent Seven.” Dettori even named his Chelsea restaurant, […]

By The Steeple Times◆16 October 2012◆2 minute read

Richard Hughes achieves a “Magnificent Seven”

On the 28^th September 1996, Frankie Dettori, at odds of 20,095-1 rode seven winners on seven horses in the seven races of the day at Ascot. His achievement cost the betting industry some £40 million and became known as the “Magnificent Seven.” Dettori even named his Chelsea restaurant, Sette, after it. One punter, a plumber from Morecambe named Darren Yates won £550,000 on a stake of £67.58 and forever more this will be recalled as a moment in racing history.

Hughes 2012 450 — Richard Hughes celebrates 7 wins from 8 at Windsor yesterday at odds of 10,168-1

Frankie 1996 — Frankie Dettori celebrates his “Magnificent Seven” in September 1996

Yesterday, another jockey, Richard Hughes, at odds of 10,168-1, rode seven winners in eight races at Windsor.

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Two stories to keep beside you

From the same Steeple territory

Stabling Frankie

Frankie Dettori puts his Voysey designed country house up for sale Champion jockey Frankie Dettori is best known for his “flying dismounts” and for having won seven out of seven races at Ascot in 1996. He currently lives at Stetchworth on the Cambridgeshire-Suffolk border near Newmarket but is now selling his home there.

From the same Steeple territory

Runners & Riders – Saturday 3rd August

The Steeple Times’ horse racing tips with an analysis of the top tipsters and their selections for Glorious Goodwood Our dark(er) horse choice Escobar performed well and came in a good third yesterday at Goodwood whilst our obvious option Battaash smashed it and gave Frankie Dettori yet another victory. The final day of Glorious […]

Of his success, Hughes, who has ridden 161 winners this season, commented:

“I’m over the moon. It’s great to do it… Windsor is my lucky track, and this is a great day… What a thrill. This is a great day.”

Unlike with Dettori’s “Magnificent Seven,” the bookies were relatively happy too. Kate Miller, a spokesperson for William Hill stated:

“That was probably the cheapest seven-timer ever for the bookies… The last time a high-profile jockey rode a big seven-timer it cost us £7million, so we’re very grateful that Richard timed his on a quiet Monday. We’ll pay out around £100,000 but the figure could easily have been 10 times that if he’d chosen this Saturday instead.”