Lottery millionaire Phil Partridge fulfilled a lifetime ambition when his horse ran in the first race at Brighton racecourse.

Mr Partridge, who sponsored five of the six races, won more than £3 million last June.

One of his investments was to buy the filly Mabel Riley, named after his late mother.

He said: "The Brighton track has always been my favourite. I have been coming here for 20 years.

"I sponsored the races because I wanted to do something to put Brighton on the map, to make people come and give it a try."

Mr Partridge donated between £3,000 and £6,750 to each race, split between first, second and third place.

However, fortune failed him for the opening Phil Partridge Lifetime Ambition race - Mabel Riley came fifth out of eight.

He said: "Winning would have made the day but I'm here for pleasure and fun.

"The most important thing is having a horse running. I have 60 friends and family here and it's a great day."

Mr Partridge, 41, from Ruislip, Middlesex, worked in the gambling business for firms such as Ladbrokes and Victor Chandler before sweeping the National Lottery jackpot last year.

He said: "Racing has indirectly given me my livelihood, so as an owner I am putting something back."

The last race was named Ron Wilson Just the Ticket after his father-in-law - who made sure Phil had his weekly lottery ticket while he lived in Malta last year.

The Super Clive Mendonca race was dedicated to the Charlton Athletic striker, one of Mr Partridge's heroes.

Mabel Riley's trainer, Brian Meehan, was honoured in the third race, Brian's Birthday.

The sixth race was sponsored by Tony and Darren Bloom, in memory of their grandfather Harry Bloom, who was vice-chairman of Brighton and Hove football club in the Seventies. Harry's son Ray Bloom is currently a director of the club.