I was born within a stone’s throw of York racecourse, so I suppose the lure to the Sport of Kings was inevitable. My real interest in betting began in 1964 when a horse owned by Major L. B. Holliday called ‘Proper Pride’ won the York Ebor Handicap. It was my first serious bet and I was forever hooked! I have ridden several horses, including a retired racehorse, but that’s another story!
I have been professionally associated with the Horse Racing Industry for over twenty years. During that time I have been privileged to meet and work with many interesting people including representatives of the bookmakers. The ‘Old Enemy’ are the biggest and most knowledgeable punters of all. It was during this time within the industry that I honed my skills and learned how to bet professionally. For more than ten years I have concentrated my betting on these Top Class Turf Handicaps with much success and have become known locally as “The Handicap King”.
My greatest joy, however, has been the lasting friendships formed over the years with people from every side of this fascinating business, many of whom have given me invaluable help and encouragement to enable me to write and compile "The ABC Turf Handicap Manual" in 2003. It contained five years data of the top-class handicaps and my unique Handicap Assessment Formula and was published by Sportsworld Publications. To-date it is their biggest seller. With the re-classification of races by the BHB in 2004, the book was re-named "Classic Handicaps" in 2005 and then in 2006 "Heritage Handicaps."
Roy Dodd
The picture is of Roy and his partner Sandra at the Royal Ascot at York meeting in 2005.