Patrick Veitch, a name synonymous with professional gambling, has carved a legendary status in the world of horse racing. Known as “The Baby-Faced Assassin of the Betting Ring,” Veitch’s career has been a rollercoaster of immense success, calculated risk-taking, and overcoming adversity. With profits exceeding £10 million between 1999 and 2007, Veitch is widely regarded as one of the most successful gamblers in modern history.
Early Life and Cambridge Beginnings:
Born with an extraordinary mathematical talent, Veitch’s academic prowess was evident from a young age. At just 15, he gained admission to Cambridge University, where he studied mathematics at Trinity College. However, his focus soon shifted from academia to horse racing. Veitch launched a telephone tipping service called “The Professional,” which quickly gained traction. By his third year, the service was generating over £10,000 per month, and Veitch decided to leave university to pursue his passion full-time.
His tipping skills caught the attention of Michael Tabor, a prominent racehorse owner and one of Britain’s wealthiest individuals. Tabor hired Veitch on a retainer to provide betting tips, marking the beginning of a lucrative partnership. During their collaboration, Veitch demonstrated his analytical prowess by identifying “racing certainties,” such as Blue Goblin, a horse that delivered a decisive win at Newmarket in 1997. Veitch’s confidence in his predictions was so strong that he staked £20,000 of his own money on the race, which paid off handsomely.
A Life-Changing Threat:
Despite his early success, Veitch’s career took a dark turn in 1998. He became the target of an extortion plot by Calvin Hall, a dangerous criminal who demanded £70,000 under the threat of violence. Refusing to yield, Veitch went into hiding for nine months and later testified against Hall in court. Wearing a bulletproof vest, Veitch’s bravery contributed to Hall’s imprisonment, although the ordeal left emotional and financial scars.
The Road to Recovery and Resounding Success:
By the late 1990s, Veitch found himself at rock bottom, but his resilience and determination led him to rebuild his career. His mathematical approach to gambling, combined with an unparalleled work ethic, enabled him to outwit bookmakers consistently. Veitch attributes his success to finding bets where the odds offered are better than the actual likelihood of an event occurring. This strategy, he notes, requires the precision of a “brain surgeon” in analyzing data and the decisiveness of a “mad axeman” when placing bets.
Veitch’s methods involve meticulous research, often dedicating 80 hours a week to studying horse racing. He has identified up to 80 factors in assessing a race, searching for the one element bookmakers have overlooked. His efforts have yielded significant coups, such as the 2004 Nottingham win with Exponential, which netted him £235,000 after the horse’s odds dropped from 100/1 to 8/1.
The Luxurious Rewards:
The fruits of Veitch’s labor are evident in his luxurious lifestyle. He owns a Ferrari, a private helicopter, and a high-end London apartment. However, his notoriety has led to bans from every bookmaker in the UK, necessitating the use of a network of associates to place bets on his behalf.
Patrick Veitch With Simon Nott
The Legacy of Patrick Veitch:
In 2009, Veitch published Enemy Number One: The Secrets of the UK’s Most Feared Professional Punter, offering insights into his remarkable career. Although he remains guarded about his methods, his story underscores the importance of discipline, hard work, and analytical rigor in professional gambling.
Veitch’s journey, from a mathematics prodigy to Britain’s most successful gambler, is a testament to his extraordinary skill and resilience. While the world of betting is fraught with risk, Veitch has turned it into an arena where his intelligence and determination shine brightest.
Photo: JC 2024
