A construction worker is quids in after he took the advice of a letter discovered in a time capsule buried 62 years ago to back the winner of the Epsom Derby on Saturday.
The discovery was made in April during building work at Crystal Palace Park in south London, which is undergoing a £22million regeneration. It was found underneath the bust of Sir Joseph Paxton, the Victorian garden designer who created the Crystal Palace, which was being removed to be relocated elsewhere on the site.
The capsule contained a letter and some old English coins which had been the winnings from a bet placed on Santa Claus, winner of the Epsom Derby in 1964.
Four shilling and two half crown coins, which would be the equivalent to about £10 today, were wrapped in a plastic sheet, along with a letter. The letter instructed the finder to use the money to bet on a horse with a name that could be “associated with ‘Santa Claus'”.
“Unbelievably, there is a horse in this year’s Derby called Christmas Day,” site manager Josh Smalls said. Smalls placed a £20 bet on Christmas Day, who went on the win the world famous horse races at a starting price of 7-1.
He added: “It was very exciting. I was like a child on Christmas Day. To find a piece of history like that – and for it to link up so well with the horse this year – it was kind of spooky.
View 2 ImagesThe note was found during the removal of a statue in Crystal Palace Park(Image: Jam Press/The Crystal Palace Park Trust)
“I looked through the rosters of the last few years and couldn’t find any other horse with a Christmassy name.”
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Smalls said he grew up with horse racing: “My uncle was a racing horse trainer, I’d go to about two races every year. So this note sparked quite a bit of interest.”
“Hopefully he’ll win on Saturday and make everyone a bit of money,” he added.
Bromley mayor Christine Harris also put £15 on Christmas Day with any winnings going to charity. After the race the Trust posted on Facebook, “What just happened?!?! The park’s time capsule prophecy came true. Christmas Day just won the Derby!”