It’s Bobsleigh Time pulled off a stunning upset with 250-1 odds to win the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Academy Hurdle at Naas on Monday. The three-year-old had performed poorly in his last two races, finishing 50 and 61 lengths behind the leaders. Given that trainer Richard Morrissey hadn’t had a legally winning horse in over 12 years—and only a few horses have competed since—it’s understandable why the odds were so high against him.
Despite a slow start under 7-pound claimer Michael Keneally, the Telescope colt began to pick up momentum early in the final stretch and finished strongly, coming in just two and a quarter lengths behind Ritz Plan. The winning jockey commented, “He hasn’t been in his best shape, but Richie is a knowledgeable trainer, especially known for his point-to-point horses. They did well from the start, always trying to disrupt us on the field. I wanted to make a quiet move, and he showed real heart and competitiveness.”
Fan Take: This extraordinary victory reminds horse racing fans that anything can happen, no matter the odds. It highlights the importance of perseverance and the unexpected thrill of underdogs, keeping the sport exciting and unpredictable.
