Who is Professional Gambler Simon ‘Dodger’ McCartney?

In recent weeks, I have read a number of professional gambler books. I’ve enjoyed Dave Nevison’s A Bloody Good Winner and I’m three-quarters through Harry Findlay’s: Gambling For Life. Both depict a roller-coaster ride of the extraordinary life of betting for a living. Stories from men larger than life.

Astonishing five and six-figure bets placed like money was going out of fashion.

I guess in ways both Nevison and especially Findlay are extroverts. However, professional gamblers can be varied in their character traits. Some are quietly spoken, knowledgable and introverted. To be honest, I have no idea if Simon ‘Dodger’ McCartney was the picture I paint him but I’m sure he would had been able to tell some remarkable stories.

I had never heard of McCartney until reading a story about racing journalist Brian Lee. In fact, this piece is inspired by an article written by him published in the Western Mail titled: ‘The Dodger Lives On In Legend As Much-Love Pro Punter.’

Dodger got his name slipping through the bustling crowds to get his bets on at National Hunt courses across the country.

Lee spoke fondly of their 30-year friendship with the professional gambler who was one of a dozen pros on the National Hunt circuit. McCartney inherited his love of horse racing from his father who was a street corner bookmaker. There wasn’t a National Hunt racecourse that McCartney hadn’t visited, travelled the country betting on horses for a living. In fact, he used to drive 1000 miles a week to get to courses from his home in Gloucestershire.

Originally punting on greyhounds at London tracks, rather than todays world of online betting platforms he changing to jump racing. He’d been racing since the age of 16 and said that his favourite course was Hereford because it had such a lovely atmosphere and friendly people.

Giving away some thoughts on gambling he stated that he never bet each way and preferred to bet on two horses in a race if the odds were value. A gambler who placed his bets ‘as cool as a cucumber’ he would roar ‘come on, my son’ as they cleared the last jump in front.

McCartney was a respected figure on the racecourse and had a good relationship with owners, jockeys and trainers, who often asked his opinion. They trusted his word and character as he never once asked for tips.

Sadly, Simon was tragically killed in a road traffic accident in 2002, aged 69. He had recovered from throat cancer and got back on course much to the delight of his friends. He was travelling from Stratford, after a successful day backing three winners.

His funeral at North London saw a congregation of 150 mourners including the great and good of racing.

Nick Gaselee described McCartney as ‘one of the National Hunt racing’s greatest characters. He had a natural warmth and wit, a life-long passion for racing and even made a living from betting on it’.

It was said you could tell how well McCartney’s gambling was going by the car he drove. He owned cars from E-Type Jaguar to a Ferrari. In fact, he owned a house in Hampstead and another in Epping Forest. Back in the day he would bet £6,000 a week to return a profit of £400.

Gaselee said: ‘It’s ironic at a time when racing is receiving a bad press about gambling, Dodger should have represented all that is good and all that is fair and honest, and all that is fun and amusing in our sport.’

Simon ‘Dodger’ McCartney had a passion and love for National Hunt racing.

He is sadly missed.