Watch: 1/33 favourite becomes shortest-priced loser in history

Najidi Storm became the shortest-priced loser in the history of British racing when he was beaten into second in the Cleansing Service Group Novice Stakes at Goodwood at odds of 1-33.

Charlie Pike’s aptly-named Wreck It Ronnie, part-owned by footballer Phil Foden, and beaten a combined 22 and a half lengths in his only two previous outings, made virtually all in the hands of Kieren Fox and Lewis Edmunds could not reel him in on the Harry Charlton-trained favourite, who is a brother to 2019 St Leger hero Logician.

The only other runner in the 10-furlong contest, Dream Of Albion, was a well tailed off 76 lengths in arrears. The previous record was jointly held by Doom (2023) and Royal Forest (1948), who were both beaten at 1-25.

Foden, who is a partner in the winner alongside Pike’s main backer, Gary Gillies, may have been absent on the Sussex Downs due to Champions League commitments, but the trainer was thrilled to land a notable victory for such a headline addition to his ownership ranks.

Pike, who almost claimed a double when Brosay finished second in the concluding race on the card, said: “It’s been a good day, Wreck It Ronnie was brilliant in the first and it’s nice to make a little bit of history.

“We wanted to go on and make the running and didn’t want to get stuck behind two lesser experienced horses than us.

“I’d have been lying if I said going in that we thought we would win the race, but we were there to have a race and going off from the front was the best chance of doing that. Luckily it worked out in our favour.

“It’s a big result and great to get a winner for Phil early on. I’ve probably set the bar a bit high now, but we plan to go on nice and strong and I’m looking forward to working alongside Phil, (internet tipster) Scott Shearsmith and obviously Gary who is involved as well.”

Brian O’Keeffe of BOYLE Sports, said: “We’ve witnessed the shortest-priced loser in British racing history, but that doesn’t mean it was a good result for the layers.

“Najidi Storm might have been an ‘acca’ buster for a number of punters, but when one is put in that short, they’re often keen to look elsewhere.

“This time, their eye was drawn to the winner, Wreck It Ronnie, who was unfortunately the biggest liability in the race in our book.”

Paddy Power spokesman Paul Binfield said: “Wreck It Ronnie sure lived up to his name with favourite-backers and the winner was actually a loser in the book with punters taking a chance against the very short-priced ‘jolly’.”