Sawbuck became the biggest priced jumps winner in racing history with a 300-1 score at Punchestown.
The huge 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).
Sawbuck took an early lead and 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 Irish 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."
The only previous 300-1 winner was He Knows No Fear, who landed a maiden Flat contest at Leopardstown in August 2020. In Britain, the horse to strike at the longest odds remains Equinoctial (250-1) back in November 1990. Sawbuck could have held the outright record, as he touched 400-1 on-course before his starting price settled.
One punter placed a £2 each-way bet on the horse with Coral, receiving a massive payout of £724.
“After showing little form prior to his victory at Punchestown, Sawbuck went off as a 300-1 outsider for his race, however, he has matched the record for the biggest priced winner in British and Irish racing history,” said the firm's John Hill. “Not many punters looked twice at the horse, but we tip our hat the customer who placed £2 each-way on the winner. They clearly saw something others had missed."
The latest 200-1 winner in the UK was the John Gallagher-trained Intercessor at Newbury in June 2020. Ridden by star apprentice at the time Cieren Fallon, he made virtually all the running and held on by a head in a bunched finish – with just half-a-length between the first five.
The biggest shock at Royal Ascot, the feature Flat meeting which takes place next month, was Nando Parrado. The juvenile powered ahead in the Coventry Stakes two summers ago, rewarding punters who backed him at 150-1.
