“The million might feed it for a couple of weeks” – Gary Anderson eyes £1 million prize pot to feed his daughter’s hungry Christmas present

Gary Anderson is two wins away from another PDC World Darts Championship title and a £1 million top prize. For the 55-year-old Scot, that sporting reward isn’t his only motivation to push to the limit. With a trademark wink, “The Flying Scotsman” hinted there’s a very practical reason at home to stay sharp: a hungry four-legged friend who’s not easily satisfied.

After his emphatic win over Michael van Gerwen (4-1) and the subsequent 5-2 victory against Justin Hood, Anderson is back in the last four at the World Darts Championship at Alexandra Palace. It is the eighth time in his career he has reached the semi-finals. Should Anderson win the tournament, he would become the oldest world champion in PDC history, even older than Phil Taylor, who claimed his 16th and final world title in 2013 at the age of 52.

Although Anderson has long been known for handling his prize money wisely, taking it easy isn’t an option. The Scot has young children and took on a hefty responsibility over the holidays. “My daughter has just had a horse for Christmas, so I’m going to have to keep going in darts. Anderson said with a laugh to The Sun. “Horses don’t stop eating. They eat and eat and eat. The million might feed it for a couple of weeks."

The animal, named Dusty, isn’t quite a full-sized horse according to Anderson, but still requires constant care. “He’s called Dusty. He’s just shy of a horse. My daughter was there on Christmas Day in tears."

The Anderson household is anything but ordinary anyway. Alongside Dusty, there’s also an imposing Great Dane around. “The horse isn’t kept at the house,” he said. our Great Dane’s about the same size as a horse. He’s about 97 kilos. And he likes people! He’s a big lad. He’s a big boy."

Anderson’s soft spot for animals is no secret. Over the years he has had, among others, rats, Burmese mountain dogs, a bearded dragon, a golden macaw, and a blue-tongued skink. He once joked he prefers animals to people because they don’t give him any hassle.

Anderson no longer feels any financial pressure, incidentally. His career has given him everything he needs. “Look, I’ve done my business, I’ve made my money," he said matter-of-factly. “I’ve bought my things that I need to buy in life and that’s it.”