Our £2.7million lotto win turned into disaster when we lost £1000s on big gamble… now I’m back stacking shelves at M&S

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A COUPLE who scooped a whopping £2.7million lotto win has opened up about the thousands they’ve lost on a big gamble.

Elaine and Derek Thompson landed the jackpot in 1995 and have poured their winnings into their true passion – horse racing.

Derek and Elaine Thompson scooped a life-changing £2.7million Lotto jackpot almost three decades agosupplied

The couple have poured thousands into their true love – horse racingsupplied

They’ve lost a lot of that money, and Elaine still works at M&S – but they’re happysupplied

It’s a love that’s seen them visit every racecourse in the country and invest in three horses.

But it hasn’t always paid off – and Elaine is still stacking shelves at M&S.

After winning big almost three decades ago, the racing-obsessed couple poured their money into their first horse.

But, it quickly adopted the not-so-lucky nickname of Sick Note because it landed a cough before each race meeting and never won.

However, Elaine and Derek didn’t give up and invested money in another horse named Richmond Lady – which won a race at Exeter racecourse.

The mum-of-two said: “Owning racehorses is a pretty pricey business, there are a lot of costs involved.

“One horse, a beautiful grey named Balfour Lady, needed a lot of shoes – I would say she had more shoes than Imelda Marcos whilst we owned her.

“It was lots of fun but we eventually decided it was probably best to focus on punters and stick to our placepots.”

This week the couple finally reached their goal of visiting all 59 race courses in the country.

Derek said: “We have always loved horse racing, it’s such a great atmosphere and over the years I have learned which trainers to follow.

“We decided after our National Lottery win to travel the UK and visit every racecourse in the country. Originally there were 61 but two have closed down over the years.

“Ludlow is our 59th and final race course, we have definitely saved a lovely course for last.”

LIFE’S NOT CHANGED

And while the couple have been heading along to race meets, Elaine has kept working at M&S.

The 64-year-old still works 25-hour weeks, starting at 2am and says people probably think she’s “bonkers”.

She said: “I have a job because I can’t stay in the house, it would drive me nuts. I’ve worked all my life.

“It’s important for my children to see hard work reaps benefits.”

Elaine added: “Never in my wildest dreams would I have thought this is how my life would end up.”

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