# 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.

*By YPB Team · Published August 20, 2026 · https://youpick.best/ranking/the-10-biggest-upsets-in-horse-racing-history*

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## Current results (no votes yet)

1. **Donerail wins at 91-1** — score 1000/1000
   The longest-priced Kentucky Derby winner on record, in 1913.
2. **Rich Strike wins the Derby** — score 665/1000
   Got into the 2022 field only after a scratch the day before, then won at 80-1.
3. **Onion beats Secretariat** — score 611/1000
   A four-year-old gelding beat the 1-to-10 favourite by a length in the 1973 Whitney at Saratoga.
4. **Zenyatta's only loss** — score 597/1000
   Beaten by a head in the 2010 Breeders' Cup Classic after nineteen straight wins.
5. **Birdstone stops Smarty Jones** — score 517/1000
   The 36-1 shot caught Smarty Jones in the 2004 Belmont stretch and ended the Triple Crown bid.
6. **Canonero II wins the Derby** — score 423/1000
   A Venezuelan-based colt nobody rated took the 1971 Derby and Preakness.
7. **Country House by disqualification** — score 310/1000
   Awarded the 2019 Kentucky Derby at 65-1 after Maximum Security was taken down.
8. **Arrogate runs down California Chrome** — score 310/1000
   Caught the favourite in the 2016 Breeders' Cup Classic after starting from an outside draw.
9. **Giacomo at 50-1** — score 172/1000
   Came from the back of the pack to win the 2005 Kentucky Derby.
10. **Foinavon at 100-1** — score 172/1000
   Avoided a pile-up at the 23rd fence and won the 1967 Grand National almost alone.

Tags: sports, horse racing, horses, upsets