zara tindall mike© Photo: Getty Images

Mike Tindall's incredible horse racing gamble that made the news

Zara Tindall is a champion equestrian and her husband enjoys the sport, too

Senior Online Writer
March 15, 2023

As well as being a medal-winning Olympic equestrian, Zara Tindall is a fan of horse racing, like many other members of the royal family.

Her husband, former rugby star Mike, also enjoys a day at the races – although it doesn't always go his way.

In fact, the dad-of-three invested in one particular horse on a whim, not knowing how things would turn out. 

See the couple's teasing relationship in the video below…

WATCH: Zara and Mike Tindall discuss who the better skier is

Back in 2014, Mike hit the headlines after investing a whopping £12,000 in a share in a horse called Monbeg Dude. Despite being a 40/1 outsider, the horse finished in third position in the Grand National that year, earning the couple £105,000.

MORE: Mike Tindall's million-dollar losing gamble revealed

A clearly excited Mike tweeted at the time: "Holy [expletive] I'm lost for words and emotions. All I can say is yes the dude!!!!!"

The victory was even more exciting because buying a share wasn't planned. "We were only there by chance," Mike told the Guardian.

© Photo: Getty Images

The couple enjoys horse racing 

"We wanted to be involved and have a bid on a horse, but not to come away with one. All these things fell into line. We're under no illusions how lucky we are.

"People have invested a lot of money to try to get contenders into this race, they've spent massive amounts of money, so it's good from the story side of it that you can have a 12 grand purchase and the last lot of the night that no one really wanted."

While he loves the gee-gees now, the star didn't grow up going to horse races, although he always enjoyed the Grand National, as he admitted in the interview.

© Photo: Getty Images

Zara and Mike tied the knot in 2011

He said: "Growing up, I never really went to any races or anything to do with horses very much but you knew that come April every year you always had a sweepstake at home, and you always had a bet whatever age you were.

READ: Mike Tindall shares 'regret' over I'm a Celeb experience - and it involves his kids

MORE:  Zara Tindall hates leaving daughters and 'punishes herself for going to work'

"You'd pick a horse and it's one of those memories that do stand out, because you know that you've watched every single Grand National really."

Make sure you never miss a ROYAL story! Sign up to The Royal Explainer newsletter to receive your weekly dose of royal features and other exclusive content straight to your inbox.

Sign up to HELLO! Daily for all the latest and best royal coverage

Email Address

By entering your details, you are agreeing to HELLO! Magazine User Data Protection Policy. You can unsubscribe at any time. For more information, please click here.

More Royalty

See more