Sir Richard Branson says he was "born under a lucky star" after he won two incredible horse racing bets.
The billionaire backed 50-1 Grand National winner Noble Yeats, ridden by his friend Sam Waley-Cohen in his last race before retirement. Branson, 71, the founder of Virgin with an estimated net worth of $5billion (£3.83bn), watched Saturday's race at Aintree with his family. He posted a picture from his lavish home on Necker Island, showing them all gathered around the screen to cheer on the huge outsider. Noble Yeats kept up amateur rider Waley-Cohen's great record over the National fences by seeing off the favourite Any Second Now.
Branson said: "I’ve only bet on horses twice in my life – a 100-1 winner at the Kentucky Derby, and our dear friend Sam Waley-Cohen’s incredible 50-1 winner at the Grand National! Congratulations Sam and all the family. Sam has now retired from racing horses. I'm now planning to retire from betting on horses!"
Branson's other huge-priced bet won the Kentucky Derby, a top horse race in America, 17 years ago. He wrote in his blog how it all came together. "I was definitely born under a lucky star," he said. "I’ve only bet on horse racing twice in my life. The first time was at the Kentucky Derby in 2005, which was the first racing meet I’d ever attended.
"I ran into Jerry Moss, an old friend from the music business who co-founded A&M Records with Herb Albert. I asked him if he was still in the industry, and he explained he now bred horses. He had entered his first horse in the race – Giacomo. But it was a 100-1 outsider, so he didn’t recommend betting on it. A few minutes later, reporters from CNN and ESPN spotted me and I agreed to a live interview.
"When they asked for my tip, I said Giacomo, as it was the only horse I knew. The experts laughed at my outsider suggestion, but everyone around my stand had a flutter on it. Lo and behold, the 100-1 outsider won the race – winning Jerry the largest ever first-place purse from the Kentucky Derby. The reporters came rushing back with one question: how did I know Giacomo was going to win?! Beginner’s luck, I guess.
"Fast forward to this weekend's Grand National, where our close family friend Sam Waley-Cohen was riding in his final ever race. He is a 39-year-old amateur jockey and successful entrepreneur, who decided to have one last go at achieving his lifelong dream of winning the Grand National.
"His horse, Noble Yeats, was a 50-1 outsider bought by his father Robert just two months ago. We had a roomful of friends and family cheering him on Necker.
"The grandkids were so excited as I pointed at the screen showing him move up from 20th all the way to the front. Unbelievably, he won the race. As Holly said: 'I’ve never shouted at the TV more, and never cried so much with a sporting result'."
Waley-Cohen, second and fourth in the National previously on Oscar Time, started Portman Dental Care, which has been valued at £300 million. The 39-year-old is also known among more exclusive circles for helping to set up Prince William and Kate Middleton.
Some punters could not be convinced Branson backed the longshot with his pal being in the saddle. "Hmm, how many times has his dear old friend Sam ridden in the Grand National? Yet backs him once only at 50-1." one wrote. While another added: "Of course we believe you."
Earlier this month, Branson told CNBC how he hopes to fly with Elon Musk’s SpaceX. In 2021, his dream of reaching space came true that summer, almost two decades after he founded Virgin Galactic.
