Qirat caused one of horse racing’s great upsets on Wednesday, as Ralph Beckett’s charge claimed the Group 1 Sussex Stakes at odds of 150/1 at Glorious Goodwood. Apparently supplemented for pacemaking duties, the four-year-old never wavered despite naturally going a strong gallop, as he rolled down Goodwood’s cambers to defeat Rosallion by a neck.
In the annals of racing history in the UK and across the globe, Qirat’s success ranks historically. But what results can it be compared to in terms of stunning punters and bookmakers alike?
Here are some of the other great shocks to have occurred in horse racing history, which Qirat’s victory rivals.
1. Theodore (200/1) – 1822 St Leger
A little before GG’s time, Theodore provided the greatest Classic upset on British shores, winning the 1822 St Leger at odds of 200/1. These are also the longest odds carried to success in any Group 1 in this country.
2. Nando Parrado (150/1) – 2020 Coventry Stakes
In more recent years, one of the most high profile upsets occurred at Royal Ascot, as 150/1 shot Nando Parrado landed the Group 2 Coventry Stakes in 2020. This was just the second race of the meeting although happened one level below Group 1 standard.
3. He Knows No Fear (300/1) – 2020 Leopardstown Maiden
Though significantly further down the ladder than the Sussex Stakes, He Knows No Fear won a Leopardstown maiden at odds of 300/1 in August of 2020. They were strange times during COVID, with Luke Comer’s charge only winning once more in his entire racing career.
4. Lunar Fox (300/1) – 2021 Australian Guineas
It did not happen in Britain, but remarkably there is precedent for a horse to win a Group 1 at twice the odds of Qirat. Lunar Fox did the unthinkable in 2021, winning the Australian Guineas at Flemington in 2021 at 300/1.
5. Mon Mome/Foinavon (100/1) – 1967 and 2009 Grand Nationals
Over jumps, the Grand National is often seen as the race for the biggest shocks. At official odds, no horse has ever won the National at 150/1, though both Mon Mome in 2009 and Foinavon in 1967 have secured 100/1 glory. The latter (pictured above) did win at a substantially bigger price on the Tote though, with it being recorded he paid out at 444/1.
6. Norton’s Coin (100/1) – 1990 Cheltenham Gold Cup
The blue riband of the jumps, the Cheltenham Gold Cup rarely produces a seismic shock, but it did in 1990. Odds-on favourite Desert Orchid carried the hopes of the crowd, but 100/1 shot Norton’s Coin, trained by a Welsh farmer, Sirrell Griffiths, upstaged him.
What Else Could You Back at 150/1?
150/1 shots do not come along often and to show how unlikely Qirat’s success was, here are some potential 150/1 shots you could back across UK betting sites today, in increasing order of insanity.
- Sporting Lisbon to win the 2025/26 Champions League
- Wrexham to win the 2025/26 FA Cup
- Chelsea to be relegated from the 2025/26 Premier League
- Cameron Norrie to win Wimbledon 2026
- The Carolina Panthers to win the 2026 Super Bowl
- Tiger Woods to win the 2026 Masters
- Jeremy Clarkson to be the next Prime Minister of the United Kingdom
- Sean Bean to be the next James Bond
