In a remarkable turn of events, a horse named Blowers etched its name in the annals of British horse racing history by clinching victory as the longest shot winner. Trained by former Grand National champion jockey Nigel Hawke, the five-year-old gelding, with an unimpressive track record, defied the odds.
Blowers, who had previously suffered a significant defeat in a point-to-point Flat race and was pulled up on his hurdles debut, entered the Exeter maiden hurdle race as a massive outsider at 300-1. Under the guidance of jockey James Best, Blowers led from the front, fending off the favorite On The Bayou to secure a surprising win by three quarters of a length.
The unexpected triumph by Blowers surpassed a longstanding record set in 1990 by Equinoctial in Britain at 250-1 odds. Notably, there have been two 300-1 winners in Ireland as well. Coral, a prominent bookmaker, reported receiving 82 bets on Blowers, the largest being a modest £2 each-way wager.
Coral’s John Hill expressed astonishment at the outcome, stating, “Christmas has arrived early for the 82 punters who backed Blowers at 300-1 odds. They clearly spotted something in the horse that eluded us bookmakers.” The Nigel Hawke-trained Blowers has now etched his name in history as the longest-priced winner in British racing.
Reflecting on the victory, Hawke remarked, “He’s a powerful horse, but controlling him is a challenge.” He praised jockey Best for a stellar ride, emphasizing the importance of allowing Blowers to set the pace in front. The stewards investigated the sudden improvement in Blowers’ performance, accepting Hawke’s explanation that better settling and a more prominent riding position contributed to the remarkable win.