There were occasions where Tommy came to the course armed with ammunition where client wanted a sizeable bet but believed the price was a bit too low, This is where the other bookmakers did not find it fun as they too were armed with a different selection. If he thought the client betting was a bona fide and and not a plant from another bookmaker he would lay a sizeable bet R10,000 to R20,000 which was as you can imagine an astronomical bet in those days, most of his business was done in the live situation on race course. This made him very popular with all punters and he eventually had a very big and influential client base including the crème del a crème of Owners both visiting and locals alike. Then it was the turn of the bigger priced horses that got the same treatment. Tommy would price up as the other bookies did but as the market dictated say there were two 4/1 chances in the market that were friendless in the betting Tommy would push these out to 4.5 5 and even 6 punters who were now aware of this mini sales would clamor to get on with him on their selection. This caused big problems as the market leaders who had the big clients and laid huge bets to their clients. His belief as a bookmaker you should lay every horse in a race and they all had a selling price as long the % in the end was in his favour. Tommy’s way of bookmaking was very different to the way of his Durban opposition which did not make him the most popular bookmaker on the race track or tattersalls. Until recently they lived at he Catholic Old Age home on the Berea and celebrated their 60 wedding anniversary. Up to 6-8 years ago, Tommy was still living in Durban North and I bumped into him and his wife Iris shopping at the Hyper after their morning golf which they played Tuesdays and Thursday mornings. He started of with a clerk Teddy Parsons a respected old time clerk and was assisted by Mike Parsons a well respected sportsman and avid Golf Club golfer, no doubt this friendship and working relationship was forged by Tommy from the golf course as Tommy himself was and avid golfer and Nomad. He started of his days in the Gold Ring ( there was cross bar for the big boys and the silver ring) He soon moved up to the Cross Bar with his gentlemanly appearance and business ethic, soon elected to the Boomakers committee and then to Chairman. Always in a collar and tie while at work. He came from Rhodesia a typical colonial gentleman. I was in the racing game from a very young age around 1964 in and out of Natal Tattersalls after school and most Saturdays before going to the race course I am not sure what year Tommy Morgan came to town but remember him being from my beginnings.
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