300/1 winner at Punchestown becomes joint-longest in racing history

Sawbuck earned a small slice of racing history when becoming the joint longest-priced winner ever in Irish or British horse racing as he scored at 300/1 at Punchestown.

Beaten a combined 185 lengths on his seven career starts to date, it was no surprise to see him prove unpopular in the betting markets and return at the ceiling price of 999/1 on the Betfair Exchange.

However, the son of Zoffany travelled smoothly throughout the race and once he bested Poker Night coming off the home turn still going well, it became apparent a huge shock was on the cards.

The four-year-old gelding cruised into the lead after the second last, with jockey Charlie O’Dwyer, riding for his father Conor, sitting motionless on his mount.

Despite an untidy jump at the last, Sawbuck quickened again nicely on the run-in to win cosily and create a small piece of racing history in the process.

Speaking to Racing TV, O’Dwyer said: “I’m completely surprised by him (Sawbuck). He’s been in great form at home but if he just ran a nice race today I’d be very happy with him. He’s tanked and travelled everywhere and he’s done his best at the line.”

While the victory was hard to see coming on the formbook, there was some potential on pedigree with Sawbuck hailing from a strong Ballymacoll Stud family, her dam New Morning having taken the Brigadier Gerard Stakes in 2005 and bred four previous winners for Godolphin.

Prior to this win, Luke Comer’s He Knows No Fear held the record as the longest-priced winner in Ireland, having also won at 300-1 at Leopardstown in August 2020, but Sawbuck now shares that honour.

Before that the biggest-priced winner in Ireland was Killahara Castle at 200-1 in 2017 – the record price in the United Kingdom is Equinoctial who won at 250-1 at Kelso in 1990.

Coral reported that one punter had placed £2 each-way on the four-year-old, who had been beaten by an aggregate of 98 lengths in two previous efforts over hurdles.

"Not many punters looked twice at the horse, but we tip our hat to the customer who placed £2 each-way on the winner. They clearly saw something others had missed," said Coral's John Hill.