The concept of a poor bookmaker remains largely inconceivable in the world of horse racing, with the bookie tending to come out on top over the punter in most scenarios.
However, odds are set for a reason and no matter how unlikely it is for rank outsiders to pick up wins, the unpredictability of any horse race means that shock results do happen.
Obviously, plucking a long odds winner is never easy for any punter, with so many variables in play but when the outside shot lands – gamblers can be in line for some impressive returns.
Plenty of tipsters and horse racing betting sites are happy to give out long odds shouts and predictions, for most races across the UK, Irish and international calendars but whether they come to fruition or not, is another matter.
Shock results have bookmarked some of the biggest races in the world however and here is a run through of some of the most remarkable wins from underdogs in racing history.
Foinavon – 1967 Grand National
When it comes to open races and long odds winners, the Grand National is a contest like no other. Aintree as a racetrack remains one of the most remarkable venues in UK racing, with the iconic jumps testing the resolve of every horse and jockey worth their salt.
Back in 1967, the notoriously open field for the flagship race was bookended by Foinavon, a hugely unfancied ride for trainer John Kempton.
The usual chaos in the Grand National ensued, with horses colliding and unseating riders in tough conditions on Merseyside. Rookie jockey John Buckingham had only agreed to ride Foinavon in the race three days earlier but all of a sudden, he found himself with a huge lead over the chasing pack, with just a few furlongs to run in the race.
Foinavon was able to beat off the challenge of favourite Honey End to make history as the first 100/1+ winner of the Grand National and its legacy lives on – with the 23rd fence in the famous track named after Foinavon’s historic triumph.
Prince of Penzance – 2015 Melbourne Cup
The ‘race that stops a nation’ is always one for the ages in Australia and the 2015 Melbourne Cup is often remembered for Prince of Penzance’s success, as it was the first win in the race for a female jockey.
Michelle Payne made history that day, with a remarkable ride on board Prince of Penzance, etching her name into racing and Melbourne Cup folklore.
Yet for all of the subsequent attention the pair have received for their historic win, an often forgotten fact is that Prince of Penzance was a 100/1 shot before the race.
A few decent showings in Group Two races hadn’t done much to suggest that the Prince of Penzance could win a race of the Melbourne Cup’s magnitude but yet, with Payne on board – the odds were upset once more.
Snow Knight – 1974 Derby
The fast and furious nature of the Derby has always held a special place in the hearts and minds of horse racing fans in the UK and in 1974, a seismic upset unfolded.
Snow Knight was one of the most enigmatic flat horses of the time, with a smorgasbord of performances on its CV giving punters very little to work with.
Trainer Peter Nelson had always exulted the virtues of the horse but having been beaten twice in trial runs in the build up to the Derby, it was pushed out to 50/1 and hugely unfancied.
Things didn’t look to be getting much better in the parade ring either, with jockey Brian Taylor being given a torrid time by Snow Knight, who almost unseated Taylor at the starting gates.
However, once the race got going, Snow Knight produced an incredible performance, showing a clean set of heels to the rest of the field – to pick up a big price win and mark its name in the annuls of the Derby.
Sawbuck – 2022 Punchestown
When it comes to long odds winners, Sawbuck’s 2022 triumph at Punchestown perhaps takes the biscuit as the ultimate upset.
In terms of notoriety, the race at Punchestown didn’t have the pull of some of the other iconic contests on this list but the Conor O’Dwyer trained 4-year-old was given little to no chance by bookmakers and punters alike.
With a start price of 300/1, which had briefly touched 400/1, Sawbuck was simply seen as a horse in the field to make the numbers up – but how things changed.
With O’Dwyer’s son Charlie on board, Sawbuck settled into the contest quickly at Punchestown and began stretching away from the field to romp home in the maiden hurdle and equal the longest winning odds ever in an Irish race.
Rich Strike – 2022 Kentucky Derby
In the modern age, the chances of any horse winning any given race at humungous odds feel hugely unlikely.
With social media clips available and insight on every horse at both professional and amateur levels, punters and sportsbooks have a very clear picture of how each race should broadly pan out.
This is heightened for big contests and few races on the global calendar can compete with the Kentucky Derby for finances staked and scrutiny on the race itself.
Yet, in 2022, Rich Strike upset the odds and the form book, to come out on top in a frenetic Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs, winning the race with a start price of 80/1.
With Sonny Leon on board, Rich Strike soared away from the field at the key moments, registering the first win of its career and compounding the pre-race predictions impressively.
Less than a year later, Rich Strike was retired to stud but it is a horse that has left its mark on the Kentucky Derby for generations to come.
