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‘I’m a priest – I gave horse racing tip to my congregation to scrub out bookies’

Catholic priest Father Paddy Byrne has admitted to giving his congregation a scorching tip for an enormous race winner.

The clergyman – who can be a horse racing fanatic – really helpful an funding on Irish-trained Hewick throughout mass earlier than Christmas. The horse went on to win the Ladbrokes King George VI Chase at odds of 12-1.

Father Byrne shared this story throughout a visitor look on the Champ.ie podcast (through the Mirror), the place he recalled: “On Christmas Eve I used to be celebrating plenty of plenty and I used to be telling an previous story concerning the piece of straw and the crib.

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“Our father and mom used to say at Christmas time if you happen to go to the crib and take dwelling a little bit of the straw you’ll have prosperity and extra importantly well being for the yr to come back. So I mentioned, ‘I’ve a Christmas current for you all. There is a bit horse, and I like this horse and an incredible coach referred to as Shark Hanlon.”

It’s largely not recommended to let one’s personal connections influence their betting habits for risk of having judgement clouded. However, Byrne was seemingly eager to make it known he had a good feeling about his tip, to say the least.



Father Paddy Byrne: tipped Hewick to his congregation
Father Paddy Byrne is an avid racing fan along with being a priest



Gavin Sheehan salutes the crowd after winning on Hewick
Hewick loved a Boxing Day triumph with Gavin Sheehan within the saddle

“’The horse is known as Hewick, and he’s operating within the King George on Tuesday,’ which was St Stephen’s Day,” he added. “‘My little current to you all is, if you happen to can afford it, put a couple of bob on it.’

“The race, we know what happened. The bookies in Abbeyleix had to close down at four o’clock that afternoon, and I think everyone had a fairly prosperous day.”

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Hewick pulled off a formidable end to beat Bravemansgame by a length-and-a-half on Boxing Day. And what higher approach to shut out the calendar than by hauling in a first-place prize of greater than £143,000?

All the extra unimaginable is the actual fact proprietor TJ McDonald purchased the horse for under £800 earlier than raking in profession prize cash value greater than £600,000. And the punters might have simply gained a couple of bob off his title due to Byrne’s well timed tip, too.

*This article was crafted with the assistance of an AI instrument, which accelerates Daily Star’s editorial analysis. An editor reviewed this content material earlier than it was revealed. You can report any errors to [email protected]