A LOCAL heating engineer, who decided to place a small bet on the horses at Exeter Racecourse was left reeling after his £2 scooped a massive £1.4 million.

Steve Whiteley (61), from North Tawton, selected six winners to secure the prize.

Speaking from the racecourse after his win he said: "I've come here on a free ticket and I haven't paid a penny, and there was a free bus, too.

"I'm still shaking like a leaf and I don't really understand how I've done it.

"They (the racecourse) send me these postcards every now and again and on one of them I read if you had an EX postcode you could come racing for free.

"So me and my mates decided to come.

"I've never done a jackpot before and I picked two horses for each race, but decided that was too much so had just one and it cost me £2. We were watching the races and my friend said after the fourth race 'do you realise there are only seven in it.'

"By the last race I was the only one left. I'm not sure why I picked Lupita, something to do with the word lodge but I don't know why."

Mr Whiteley picked six winners, starting with Semi Colon at 2-1, followed by Black Phantom (12-1), Ammunition (16-1) and Mr Bennett (16-1). Then followed Lundy Sky (5-1) and odds-on favourite Glitzy D'Ocala before Lupita won 12-1.

Jane Amor, racing manager for Totepool, said: "It's amazing for Exeter, amazing for the Tote and amazing for Mr Whiteley.

"It was so exciting, especially when we knew it had come down to one ticket and one horse. I don't think anyone thought Lupita would win.

"It's the second largest jackpot payout ever and its incredible."

Mr Whiteley has been interviewed on many television and radio programmes since his win, as well as having had his photograph taken by dozens of photographers from newspapers around the world.

Today, Friday, he and his partner, Jill Dilley, were due to fly to Australia on a pre-arranged holiday.

"We were going to fly 'cattle class' but we might upgrade now", he said.

He added: "I like my racing but I only go once or twice a year but I think I'll always go to Exeter now."

Steve had two telephone calls from television companies from Australia prior to his holiday asking if they could interview him on his arrival, so his holiday may not be as relaxing as he first thought!

Steve added that he intends to stay in his £500-per-week job.

"I won't be quitting work just yet.

"I have to go in - I've arranged to do some work for people and that's what I'll do. I can't let my customers down.

"Besides, I'm not the sort of person who can sit around all day doing nothing."

Alan Quick