Man wins £45k ... and buys a parrot!

But for 60-year-old Joe Brown from Wigan all he wants to buy with his winnings is a parrot after punts on the horses landed him £45,000!

It’s not just any old parrot though, but a highly intelligent African Grey capable of a vocabulary of 1,000 words at a cost of £1,000.

Construction site manager Joe was very much seen as a cheeky boy to Betfred when he pocketed £13,140 from a Tote Scoop6 triumph with just a £2 stake.

And he was flying even higher on Saturday when he bagged another £32,491 with a free bet on the back of his win.

Joe already has a name for the parrot that’s on order from the pet store opposite his local Betfred shop at Scholes Precinct in Wigan – Jasper Carrot.

He picked Red Tornado to win the 2.15 at Market Rasen, Silver Rainbow in the 2.40 at Newmarket, Long House Hall in the 2.45 at Market Rasen followed by Franklin racing home first in the 3.15 at Newmarket last Saturday.

The Tin Man doing the business in the 3.35 at Newbury and finally also at Newbury in the 4.10 Mrs Danvers going first past the post to completed an unforgettable day for Joe and the other 20 victorious race fans.

And when his pick of Librisa Breeze came in on Saturday, the Wigan grandad had even more reason to celebrate admitting he had no idea how he managed to wing it, knocking Betfred owner Fred Done off his perch.

Joe said: “I have been going to Betfred since that shop opened 10 years ago.

“I always have a go on the horses and never miss the Scoop6 on a Saturday. To win £13,000 from just a £2 bet is fantastic. I’m splitting the money four ways between the wife, daughter, granddaughter and me.

“We already have a holiday booked in Spain so we’ll have more money to spend. I don’t like the sun to be honest, I like work.

“One thing I am doing is buying a pet parrot. My sister kept one and it is something I have always wanted.

“I have already thought of a name and it’s not Fred after Betfred. He will be called Jasper the Parrot if it’s a boy and if it’s a girl my wife can pick the name. The pet shop is just across the way from Betfred and my parrot order is in. It will be an African Grey that’s going to cost £1,000.

“Its been a week I will never forget winning £45,000 from a £2 original bet.”

Betfred owner Mr Done said: “Never in the history of bookmaking has a winner opted to buy a parrot... all the best cheeky Joe!”