Blowers achieves a historic victory at 300-1 to become the highest-priced winner in the history of British horse racing
Blowers became the highest-priced winner in British horse racing history when he won the first race at Exeter on Thursday at 300-1 odds. The previous record was held by the horse Equinoctial, who won at Kelso in November 1990 at 250-1 odds. This feat has also been achieved twice in Ireland, most recently by Sawbuck at Punchestown in April 2022, and by the horse He Knows No Fear in 2020 at Leopardstown.
The five-year-old gelding, trained by Nigel Hawke and ridden by James Best, is named after Henry Blofeld, the former cricket commentator and retiree, and had a previous racing record limited to just two races. The horse had run poorly in a point-to-point race at Larkhill, after which he went off at 200-1 odds at Chepstow in his first start under rules.
“I was a bit shocked at his price, but I think that’s the way it goes in the markets. He had only run once in his life and was running in a race at Larkhill where he was backed that day but breathing difficulties were an issue,” Hawke said. “We ran at Chepstow and the amateur rider who was on him couldn’t keep him on one side, but you saw what he did with Besty on him today and he didn’t stop galloping.”
“I think 300-1 was somewhat ridiculous; I’m not saying we knew what we had, but we knew we had a horse with some ability, and the owners are known for breeding a good type of horse. He hasn’t done anything wrong at home, and he just had to learn how to run. He will have learned a lot today and couldn’t do more than win—and that’s what he’s done now, and his price will certainly be lower next time.”
“This is great for the owners, Mr. and Mrs. Budd, who are from the West Country, and the horse is home-bred, so there is a lovely story behind it.”
At the time, the Exeter race meeting required a morning inspection after more than 50 mm of rain had fallen since Monday. In conditions described as heavy, Blowers won by more than three-quarters of a length ahead of the 5-4 favorite, On The Bayou.
On the other hand, Best was lucky to secure his place in history after picking up the ride on the morning of the race when amateur jockey Harbson missed her flight.
Speaking to Racing TV, Best said: “Harbson was supposed to ride. I was heading for an outside ride on the M5 at 10:05 and an unknown Irish number buzzed on my phone; sometimes I don’t answer if I don’t know who it is.”
“It was Harbson, saying ‘Do you want to ride one in the first race at Exeter?’ Unfortunately for her, traffic broke down and she didn’t make her flight. Thanks to Harbson for mentioning me and thanks to Nigel and the owners’ team for letting me ride.”
“He was keen last time until Nigel stopped it because the ground was firm; he was worried they might crawl. The first plan was to drop him in at the back, but then we thought he might settle better in front. He was jumping somewhat to his left, so I stayed in the middle-outside down the back. He certainly handled the ground, found a lovely rhythm, and congratulations to all connections.”
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