A British charity - the Royal British Legion which helps ex-armed forces personnel - would have benefited by £2,755,923 if a steeplechaser called Big Fella Thanks had won the valuable Racing Post Chase at Kempton Park, England, on Saturday, Feb. 21.
This was the amount in the bonus fund of a weekly pari-mutuel bet, the totescoop6, but the horse could only finish third.
However, the charity still benefited from £211,000, thanks to the anonymous bettor from the county of Suffolk who had intended to give all the proceeds of the bonus fund, if successful, to the Royal British Legion.
He had been the only winner of the totescoop6 the previous Saturday, gaining £669,465 for finding the winners of six selected races.
He donated £200,000 of his winnings to the Royal British Legion anyway, while the tote put a £1,000 bet on the 10/1 winner of the bonus race, garnering an extra £11,000 for the charity.
The totecoop6 was not won on Feb. 21, meaning that the record-breaking bonus fund rolls on and there is now a total of £2,842,120 in that fund as well as £201,125 in the win pool.
"I desperately wanted to win the bonus race for the Royal British Legion but it wasn't to be," said the anonymous bettor. "Nevertheless, I am delighted to donate £200,000 to the Legion and will be back to have a crack at the totescoop6 next weekend!"
David Craven, totepool managing director, commented: "The totescoop6 continues it's incredible run and although our mystery punter didn't manage to pick the winner of the bonus race, there was a happy end to the tale with the Royal British Legion benefiting to the tune of £211,000.".
Robert Lee, head of public relations and campaigns for the Royal British Legion, added: "Although our selection finished third, the Legion still ends up a winner. We're very grateful to our anonymous donor and the entire racing fraternity - especially the tote - for the support they've shown to the Legion and the armed forces family."
