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. 1
   Donerail wins at 91-1

   The longest-priced Kentucky Derby winner on record, in 1913.
   1000pts
2. 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. 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. 4
   Zenyatta's only loss

   Beaten by a head in the 2010 Breeders' Cup Classic after nineteen straight wins.
   597pts
5. 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. 6
   Canonero II wins the Derby

   A Venezuelan-based colt nobody rated took the 1971 Derby and Preakness.
   423pts
7. 7
   Country House by disqualification

   Awarded the 2019 Kentucky Derby at 65-1 after Maximum Security was taken down.
   310pts
8. 8
   Arrogate runs down California Chrome

   Caught the favourite in the 2016 Breeders' Cup Classic after starting from an outside draw.
   310pts
9. 9
   Giacomo at 50-1

   Came from the back of the pack to win the 2005 Kentucky Derby.
   0pts
10. 10
    Foinavon at 100-1

    Avoided a pile-up at the 23rd fence and won the 1967 Grand National almost alone.
    0pts

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