'I lost everything and was sleeping rough - now I'm buying top lots'

Andrew Dietz speaks to Mark Dunphy about his remarkable journey into ownership

I've been betting for 40-odd years and always hoped that one day I'd own a racehorse. I only came into racing six years ago but have gradually built up my team. I only buy things when I've had a bit of luck on the betting front, but once you get your first horse it's hard to stop and I've now got around 20.

I had a tough time a few years back as I lost my job as a toll bridge fare collector in my home town of Bath after suffering an accident at work. I lost everything and even slept rough for three months. I stuck my last wage slip on a four-team football accumulator and luckily it came in. That helped me bounce back and put me on the trail to buying horses.