Just talking to an Old friend about some of the London Betting scene in the Old Days and remembering some of the Top movers then, so I thought I'd pass a great story on.
I think it was in the late 1930's that a Ship carrying besides others, immigrant Russian Jews which were heading into Dover en-route to London, on Board Four penniless strangers attracted each other by their love of Gambling and overall sharpness. Michal Taborski, Sanar Wolf, Joseph Koralski and Hymie Singerman talked the whole Journey about the chance of a new life in London and vowed to stay in touch.
Once in London, all realised the potential in taking Bets from the massive Factory armies after the War and Joseph built an extensive network of runners to deal with the then illegal operation, Michal was doing the same thing on a smaller scale and both used the wizardly Mathematics of Sanar and Hymie to hedge their liabilities with legal credit Bookmakers like Ladbrokes and William Hill. By the time Betting Shops became Legal Twenty years later, all were doing well and by Todays standards, Millionaires.
Joseph Koralski later became more well known as Joe Coral, founder of Britains Third biggest Bookmaker, Michal Taborski left his Son a chain of Betting shops across London who became better known as Michael Tabor, the multi millionaire Racehorse owner and partner in the World renowned coolmore stud and Ballydoyle Racing Operation. Hymie Singerman became the biggest commission agent in London along with a string of 10 West End betting shops and Sanar was better known as Sonny Wolf, a director for Years with Josephs Coral Chain before retiring and becoming a Commission Agent.
Although there's no doubting Michael Tabors sharpness, apparently He was covered by the others on request of his Father, Hymie died leaving his chain to his Son Leon who I knew personally. Leon was one of the sharpest punters in London before dying of a Heart attack aged 50, He had lost the wealth given to him as betting Shops became worthless, however He was a great character. Sonny was still taking Bets aged 95 last time I spoke to him and while being a multi Millionaire, would make anyone feel above him, sheer class.
The Story just goes to show that while you are as sharp as a razor you still need a bit of luck and the chance for Worlds to collide. :drink:
I think it was in the late 1930's that a Ship carrying besides others, immigrant Russian Jews which were heading into Dover en-route to London, on Board Four penniless strangers attracted each other by their love of Gambling and overall sharpness. Michal Taborski, Sanar Wolf, Joseph Koralski and Hymie Singerman talked the whole Journey about the chance of a new life in London and vowed to stay in touch.
Once in London, all realised the potential in taking Bets from the massive Factory armies after the War and Joseph built an extensive network of runners to deal with the then illegal operation, Michal was doing the same thing on a smaller scale and both used the wizardly Mathematics of Sanar and Hymie to hedge their liabilities with legal credit Bookmakers like Ladbrokes and William Hill. By the time Betting Shops became Legal Twenty years later, all were doing well and by Todays standards, Millionaires.
Joseph Koralski later became more well known as Joe Coral, founder of Britains Third biggest Bookmaker, Michal Taborski left his Son a chain of Betting shops across London who became better known as Michael Tabor, the multi millionaire Racehorse owner and partner in the World renowned coolmore stud and Ballydoyle Racing Operation. Hymie Singerman became the biggest commission agent in London along with a string of 10 West End betting shops and Sanar was better known as Sonny Wolf, a director for Years with Josephs Coral Chain before retiring and becoming a Commission Agent.
Although there's no doubting Michael Tabors sharpness, apparently He was covered by the others on request of his Father, Hymie died leaving his chain to his Son Leon who I knew personally. Leon was one of the sharpest punters in London before dying of a Heart attack aged 50, He had lost the wealth given to him as betting Shops became worthless, however He was a great character. Sonny was still taking Bets aged 95 last time I spoke to him and while being a multi Millionaire, would make anyone feel above him, sheer class.
The Story just goes to show that while you are as sharp as a razor you still need a bit of luck and the chance for Worlds to collide. :drink:
