Cork stable hand wins $1.5million jackpot at Cheltenham Festival

Punters green with envy at luck of the Irish

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Conor Murphy celebrates after winning a $1.5million jackpot

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A Corkman enjoyed the luck of the Irish ahead of St Patrick’s Day at Cheltenham – and scooped a $1.5million jackpot.

Conor Murphy, a stable employee with English trainer Nicky Henderson, took the bookies to the cleaners.

The 31-year-old has gone into hiding after his $75 accumulator came good thanks to Meath jockey Barry Geraghty and his five festival winners.

All five horses were trained by Henderson and handled by Murphy as part of his day job.
The Irishman has told friends that he intends to return to work once the fuss has died down but is currently keeping a low profile.

The bet is reported to have been placed with Bet365 late last year, when the odds would have been much bigger, and featured Sprinter Sacre on Tuesday, Simonsig, Finian’s Rainbow and Bobs Worth on Wednesday, and Riverside Theatre yesterday afternoon.

Pat Cooney, spokesman for Bet365, refused to confirm the bet but said: “We’re pleased for all our customers who’ve had a winning day today but we don’t discuss individual accounts. This one particular customer’s had an extremely good time of it.”

BBC television presenter Claire Balding tweeted: “The lad who looks after Finian’s Rainbow had a 5-timer on Nicky Henderson winners & has won £1 million! Says he’ll still be at work tomorrow.”
 

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