Rachael Blackmore's historic Grand National win on Minella Times cost betting firms an absolute fortune.
Paddy Power report that the result cost them €15million after punters lumped on the Tipperary jockey's mount.
The Irish dominated the race, with a thrilling 1-2 for trainer Henry De Bromhead, with 100/1 shot Balko Des Flos chasing home Minella Times (11/1) and an incredible 1-2-3-4-5 for Irish-trained horses.
Any Second Now (15/2), Burrows Saint (9/1) and Farclas (16/1) followed those two over the finish line, while 10 of the first 11 horses home are trained in Ireland.
Spokesperson Paddy Power said: "It's a golden day for racing - the €15 million payout may sting a little, but I can't begrudge Rachael Blackmore one bit.
"The Tipp jock is a superstar who has rewritten the racing history books again. Minella Times is going to be a popular pub quiz question when the boozers reopen"
Some layers were hit harder than others, but their consensus at Aintree was that the victory of Minella Times in the world’s greatest steeplechase was simply a tremendous result for the sport.
Coral spokesman David Stevens said: “Minella Times was backed for the National after Rachael Blackmore was crowned top jockey at last month’s Cheltenham Festival, with his odds halving from 20-1 to 10-1, and on the biggest betting day of the year Rachael’s mount was extremely well-backed by plenty of her fans across the country.
“In making Aintree history, she’s also sparked the biggest ever pay-out on a female rider, but we’ll be paying out with a smile because her achievement is incredible, and worth its weight in gold to the sport of horse racing.”
Ladbrokes spokesman Jon Lees said: “Congratulations to Rachael Blackmore, who realised every young girl’s dream by winning the Grand National – which until today had only been fulfilled by Elizabeth Taylor in the fictional film National Velvet.
“Her deserved success will ensure the 2021 Grand National will be remembered for years – and although she has cost Ladbrokes plenty, the attention her win will bring to the sport will be priceless.”
It had been bad enough for the layers before the National, with the first five favourites on the card being successful.
Betway PR Manager Chad Yeomans said: “After five winning favourites and Rachael Blackmore creating history in the Grand National, it’s safe to say that it’s been a bad day for us.
“Minella Times was a bad result in the book. But overall, it was a great result for racing. After a good first two days at Aintree, it’s definitely been one for the punters today.”
For William Hill, the damage could have been much worse.
“We have dodged a bullet, because we expected Rachael Blackmore to be the worst result in the race,” said spokesman Rupert Adams.
“Fortunately for us she was not – but don’t get me wrong, we will be handing over a serious amount of cash to punters.”
