[Margaret Pilkington]

I have only been to the races once.
I would be maybe 11/12yrs old and my Grandma(who lived in Sheffield) took me to the Doncaster St Leger meeting.
She liked a bet, followed form, understood the 'going' and the odds and could work out to the penny what you might win.
She gave a shilling to bet with(illegal, I know)....but I chose the horses and she would go and put my bet on for me with the trackside bookies.
I came away from that meet with a lovely ten shilling note.
I was not scientific in my choices, but was guided by Gran.
I would choose horses that had the third letter of their name as an R...like my Gran, if there was a grey horse in the field I would put money on that.

At that meeting by the side of the race track was the fairground....so it was a lovely memorable day....I enjoyed watching the races, the atmosphere was electric....I got to eat junk food and I came away with winnings.
That was MY day at the races.