Punters were astonished as a 150-1 underdog caused a major upset in a £1 million horse race on Wednesday, delivering one of the biggest surprises in racing history.
The prestigious Visit Qatar Sussex Stakes, a top European mile race, witnessed an unexpected turn of events. The anticipated showdown between Field Of Gold, the reigning champion of Irish 2,000 Guineas and St James’s Palace Stakes, and Rosallion, the previous year’s victor in the same races, took an unexpected twist.
Juddmonte, the owners of Field Of Gold, introduced Qirat, trained by Ralph Beckett, as a pacemaker for the race. Despite being priced at 150-1 in the betting market, Qirat outperformed expectations, seizing the lead after Serengeti faltered.
In a thrilling finish, Rosallion narrowly missed catching up to the frontrunner, with Field Of Gold, the favorite at 1-3 odds, finishing fourth. The winning jockey, Richard Kingscote, expressed his joy at the unexpected victory, emphasizing the horse’s affinity for the track.
Following the race, an inquiry was launched by the Goodwood stewards into Qirat’s remarkable performance compared to its previous lackluster showing at Royal Ascot. Trainer Ralph Beckett explained the gelding’s improved form as a result of previous racing conditions and equipment adjustments.
Despite the disappointment for Field Of Gold’s camp, trainer John Gosden attributed the loss to the horse’s struggle with the track’s undulating terrain. A Ladbrokes customer from Didcot pocketed £7,550 after wagering £50 on Qirat, marking a significant win amidst the race’s unexpected outcome.
The surprising upset at the Sussex Stakes left the gambling world abuzz, with a Ladbrokes spokesperson acknowledging the unforeseen turn of events and the substantial win for the lucky punter.