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PUNTER WINS IMMENSE BET On the day of the running of the Eclipse Stakes at Sandown. before the late Curefoot won, a man went to Richard Fry, the biggest English bookmaker of the day, according to a London Express story, and asked the price of Common for the SL Leger. Mr. Fry, with his peculiar air of making a bit of a concession, replied : "Well, sir, Ill take G to 5." Very well," the stranger answered, "Ill lay you 530,000 to 525,000." Mr. Fry was a trifle staggered, the more so as he did not know his customer, and observed, "Youll excuse me asking, sir, but are you accustomed to bet such sums?" "No," the stranger answered, "I cant say T am, but " he paused for a moment and then added, "Perhaps I had better post the money," saying which he pulled out his pocketbook and handed over the amount. Fry. somewhat astonished, inquired : "What name, sir?" "Oh, never mind the name. I know you very well. It will be all right." On the night before the St. Leger Mr. Frys clerk met the unknown in the street at Don-caster and said to him, "Youll be up to seo your horse win tomorrow, I suppose?" "I expect I shall. I am not quite certain yet," was the reply. He was there, however, and after the race presented himself to Mr. Fry, with the remark, "I think you owe me 5,000." "Quite right, sir," the well-known bookmaker answered. "I have not the money with me. but if you will give me your name a check shall be posted tonight." "Arery well," the Aviriner replied: "Send it to such and such an address, and please send an open check." This was the biggest ready-money bet Mr. Fry ever made, and he never learned the identity of his customer.
