With an implied probability of 0.3%, punters can typically kiss goodbye to their money when backing a 300/1 shot.
But, every once in a while, an underdog victory for the ages can unfold…
That was the case at Kelso Racecourse on Thursday, as Crokes Cross – a 300/1 no hoper – landed a novices’ hurdle on her debut over obstacles.
And that astonishing price equalled the longest odds win ever recorded in British horse racing.
The 1-2
| Pos | Horse | SP | Trainer | Jockey |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Crokes Cross | 300/1 | Stuart Coltherd | Jamie Hamilton |
| 2 | Changemyluck | 5/2 | Stuart Coltherd | Sean Quinlan |
| 3 | Bogha Baiste | 80/1 | Lizzie Quinlan | Peter Kavanagh |
Having shown very little on the flat in Ireland, little was expected of Crokes Cross as she made her switch to Stuart Coltherd’s yard.
And, given that Coltherd hasn’t saddled a winner in more than a year, punters understandably showing little confidence in the seven-year-old ahead of her Kelso bow.
So what followed in the two-mile novices’ hurdle race was unexpected to say the last as Coltherd enjoyed the most unlikely of 1-2 finishes.
Changemyluck, winless in four attempts over obstacles but improving with each run, was sent off as the 5/2 second favourite – the most likely winner that Coltherd has saddled in some time.
And the six-year-old certainly looked likely, racing prominently from the outset and chasing the leaders.
Approaching the last, Changemyluck arguably looked the most likely winner… but that didn’t account for his stable companion.
Crokes Cross was ridden along by Jamie Hamilton with two to jump and looked to be fading in the grand tradition of 300/1 outsiders. But after a shake of the reins, the horse found an extra gear and remained in contention on the run-in for home.
The two Coltherd charges then fought out the last few furlongs, with Crokes Cross – to the bemusement of pretty much everyone – running away from his stablemate to win by more than a length.
👀 300/1 winner @KelsoRacecourse
Crokes Cross emulates Blowers as the joint highest-priced winner in British racing history 👇🏻 pic.twitter.com/AgboDZpllJ
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) April 2, 2026
It ended Coltherd’s wait for a winner that dates back to March 2025, although the trainer later admitted he hadn’t backed either of his horses.
“I never had a penny on. I wish I had!
“When they were going down and I saw she was 300-1, I did think that was a huge price as she works well at home – it’s too late now.
“I knew they were both fit and I fancied them both to run well. I thought Changemyluck would be there or thereabouts, but Crokes Cross has done it well.”
Despite getting her head in front at a meaty price, it’s unlikely that the bookmakers would have been hit too hard by the shock victory given that Crokes Cross was friendless in the market.
However, one Ladbrokes customer won £1,800 from a £5 each way flutter, with the firm’s spokesperson Alex Apati revealing that ‘just a handful of punters’ had backed the horse with his outfit.
Meanwhile, on the Betfair Exchange, £97.03 was matched at 1000.00 during the race.
The 300/1 Club
There must be something in the water at Kelso.
It was at this racecourse that Equinoctial set the record for the longest odds winner in British racing back in 1990 – a cool 250/1 triumph for backers.
It was a milestone that stood for many years, but since 2020 there has been a cavalcade of long odds winners both on British soil and in Ireland.
He Knows No Fear was the first of the 300/1 winners, bolting up at Leopardstown to become the first victor at that price in Britain or Ireland.
In 2022, Sawbuck matched the feat, landing a maiden hurdle at Punchestown after running from the front. It was a real family affair too, with trainer Conor O’Dwyer booking his son, Charlie, for the history-equalling ride.
By December 2025, British racing was getting in on the act. Blowers, named after iconic cricket commentator Henry Blofeld, was entered into a maiden hurdle at Exeter and priced at 300/1 following a low-key start to his career.
But Nigel Hawke’s steed made a mockery of such pessimism, running prominently and just about hanging on to claim victory on heavy ground by three-quarters of a length.
“I was a little surprised at his price, but I guess it’s the way the markets go,” Hawke commented.
“I think 300/1 was a bit ridiculous to be fair, and I’m not saying we knew what we had, but we knew we had a horse with some ability and the owners always breed a nice type of horse.
“He definitely won’t be 300-1 next time.”
Blowers has since raced twice, sent off at 6/1 and 9/1 in a pair of outings at Ffos Las. He fell in the first before finishing sixth in the second, some 42 lengths behind the winner.