'Not my finest hour' - how a quarter of a length proved costly for pub landlord

Flightline's devastating display in the Breeders' Cup Classic at Keeneland on Saturday reverberated right around the world, including in a small village in West Berkshire nearly 4,000 miles away.

Freddie Tulloch, who owns the Queens Arms in East Garston near Lambourn, posted a message on a WhatsApp group on Saturday morning that everyone in the renowned racing pub would be welcome to a free drink if the John Sadler-trained Flightline won by more than eight lengths.

He was, therefore, ruing the eight-and-a-quarter length margin recorded by the exceptional four-year-old from Olympiad in the $6 million contest.

Tulloch, who took over the popular establishment in 2015 with wife Sue, said on Sunday: "It wasn't my finest hour, but I thought it was quite good to say eight lengths – I was only a quarter of a length out from saving a few quid.

"I thought I was very unlucky and they took around 40 minutes working the distance out. There were suggestions it was seven lengths and three-quarters or eight and a quarter; all this while everyone was gasping for a drink waiting at the bar!

"That was not helpful and, because I'm quite nice and thought it looked like more than eight lengths, I gave in quite early."

Flightline: team all smiles after Breeders' Cup Classic winCredit: Edward Whitaker

Tulloch, whose parents owned Galway Blaze, who won what was the Hennessy Gold Cup in 1985, added: "There were a few thirsty punters who weren't for hanging around for the official result, but it did kind of look like it would be more than eight lengths.

"I looked at some spread betting after I'd made my proposal and that was tighter than eight lengths, so laid some off before the bar got rocking.

"The place was nicely busy and really good fun, and it was an amazing race. He just kept going and it was seriously impressive. It must have been bloody good fun to watch unless you're a stupid pub landlord! The kids will still get their Christmas presents but they might not be as big."

Read more on Flightline's Breeders' Cup win. . .

'It rates another exceptional display' – analysing Flightline's Classic success

'We need a hero and that's Flightline' – unbeaten star dazzles in Classic

Chris Cook at Keeneland: Smiles all round as Flightline lives up to the hype in Classic (Members' Club)

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