In a remarkable feat, a horse named Blowers etched its name in the annals of British horse racing history by clinching a victory at the longest odds ever recorded. Trained by former Grand National-winning jockey Nigel Hawke, the five-year-old gelding, with a lackluster racing record, defied expectations.
Blowers had previously suffered a significant defeat in a point-to-point Flat race, followed by a lackluster performance on his hurdles debut at Chepstow where he was a 200-1 underdog. Despite being ridden by amateur jockey Ella Herbison in that race, Blowers’ prospects were bleak. Subsequently, on his second attempt at Exeter, with James Best in the saddle, Blowers shocked the racing world by fending off the favorite, On The Bayou, to claim victory at extraordinary odds.
The astonishing win by Blowers surpassed a longstanding record set in 1990 by Equinoctial in Britain, marking a significant milestone in British racing history. Notably, in Ireland, there have been two instances of even higher-priced winners. Bookmaker Coral witnessed an influx of bets on Blowers, with the largest being a £2 each-way single bet.
Reflecting on this unexpected triumph, Coral’s John Hill remarked that the 82 punters who bet on Blowers at 300-1 had a foresight that eluded the bookmakers. Nigel Hawke, the trainer, shared insights on Blowers’ potential, emphasizing the horse’s raw talent and the challenge of managing his exuberance.
Following an inquiry into Blowers’ remarkable improvement in form, the stewards acknowledged Hawke’s explanation that the horse’s improved performance was attributed to better settling and a strategic change in riding tactics.
The unprecedented victory of Blowers has captivated the racing community, solidifying its place in British racing lore as the longest-priced winner to date.