The 10 Biggest Upsets in Horse Racing History

Long shots at 91-1, a gelding nobody wanted, and a favourite running a temperature. Each one wrecked somebody's certainty.

1

Donerail wins at 91-1

The longest-priced Kentucky Derby winner on record, in 1913.

1000pts

2

Rich Strike wins the Derby

Got into the 2022 field only after a scratch the day before, then won at 80-1.

665pts

3

Onion beats Secretariat

A four-year-old gelding beat the 1-to-10 favourite by a length in the 1973 Whitney at Saratoga.

611pts

4

Zenyatta's only loss

Beaten by a head in the 2010 Breeders' Cup Classic after nineteen straight wins.

597pts

5

Birdstone stops Smarty Jones

The 36-1 shot caught Smarty Jones in the 2004 Belmont stretch and ended the Triple Crown bid.

517pts

6

Canonero II wins the Derby

A Venezuelan-based colt nobody rated took the 1971 Derby and Preakness.

423pts

7

Country House by disqualification

Awarded the 2019 Kentucky Derby at 65-1 after Maximum Security was taken down.

310pts

8

Arrogate runs down California Chrome

Caught the favourite in the 2016 Breeders' Cup Classic after starting from an outside draw.

310pts

9

Giacomo at 50-1

Came from the back of the pack to win the 2005 Kentucky Derby.

172pts

10

Foinavon at 100-1

Avoided a pile-up at the 23rd fence and won the 1967 Grand National almost alone.

172pts