In November of 2024, an otherwise run of the mill race at Huntingdon hit the headlines when 200/1 outsider, Kally Des Bruyeres finished in first place. This made him the joint longest odds race winner in British racing history.
This would be the second time in 2024 that a horse joined the exclusive club of 200/1 winners in Britain. In February, Absolute Steel achieved the same feat at Exeter.
Nevertheless, it was a huge shock, and all the more impressive given that this was only Kally Des Bruyeres fourth career race, and his second after receiving wind surgery.
He had a new jockey at Huntingdon in Charlie Todd, who did some work with him beforehand, and it appears to have paid off in spades.
The bay gelding kept to the middle of the 11 strong field for much of the race, but made his dash for glory close to 3 out. He hung left just before 2 out and went second just before the last, then nudged ahead and won it by a neck, despite pressure from another horse named Korus. It was very close, but it was a win nonetheless.
Kally Des Bruyeres Wins at @Huntingdon_Race under @CharlieTodd00
Congratulations to his owners The Close Shave Partnership and all the team at home. #winner #hurdle pic.twitter.com/enR0mFB0yq
— David Dennis (@DDennisracing) November 3, 2024
After the race, David Dennis, Kally Des Bruyeres’ trainer, gave his thoughts on the incredible win:
“We rated him very highly last year as one of our nicest young horses. He’s clearly benefited from a wind op, and the better ground probably helped him.”
Anyone who had backed the horse would be getting a very nice return indeed, but at 200/1, that list of punters must have been very short.