This afternoon's opening race at Punchestown provided a stunning victory for 300-1 shot Sawbuck - thereby equalling the previous biggest ever longshot winner across Irish as well as British racing.
Sawbuck matched He Knows No Fear’s shock upset in 2020 at Leopardstown.
The rank outsider shocked the opposition in the Bar One Racing Quick Deposit & Withdraw Maiden Hurdle.
Conor O'Dwyer's charge had shown very little in his previous six races, including two over obstacles. But he jumped soundly in the main to thwart market leaders Ballybawn Belter and Vocito (100-30 favourite).
After taking an early lead, he was headed at the fourth flight, however, he was guided back to the front by the trainer's son and jockey Charlie O'Dwyer, where he determinedly remained by a couple of lengths.
O'Dwyer junior told Racing TV that his mount thoroughly enjoyed himself galloping around the Kildare circuit. "I'm completely surprised by him," he said.
"He has been in great form at home but I thought if he just ran a nice race today I would be very happy with him. But he has tanked and travelled everywhere and he has done his best at the line.
"He was being a little bit numb with me so I just let him (go) on and if anyone else wanted to take it off me (the lead) I was happy all the same.
"He was a bit tight (into the last hurdle) but look his jumping is very good and he was smart at it."
Given he is the biggest odds winner in British & Irish horse racing history it's not too surprising to learn that he was backed by just 28 lucky customers.
William Hill’s Tony Kenny, said of the incredible win: “We witnessed the joint-biggest priced winner in Irish and British racing history today as Sawbuck emerged victorious at Punchestown at 300/1, and there were a handful of lucky punters who backed him!
“A total of 28 punters chose the Conor O’Dwyer-trained runner, accounting for just 0.14% of all stakes placed on the race.”
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