Nicky Martin said she might have to take up betting after she saddled a 200-1 winner to pull off one of the biggest shocks ever at Taunton on Friday.
Just three days after The Two Amigos recorded the biggest of Martin's training career by landing the Welsh Grand National, she struck again with her very next runner when outsider Inspiratrice won a juvenile hurdle to widespread disbelief.
The filly became one of nine 200-1 winners since Racing Post records began. The longest in history was 250-1 winner Equinoctial in 1990.
“I’m not sure what happened today.” said Martin, who trains in Minehead. “The Two Amigos was great as I knew he was in good order, but I’ve got to say this was a surprise.
“The stewards called me in and asked me for justification and I had to say, ‘I don’t know why!’“
Inspiratrice had been beaten a combined 77 lengths on her first two starts since joining Martin at odds of 300-1 and 50-1 but stayed on well to beat Fourofakind by four and a half lengths.
“She has come off the Flat where everything was 100mph for her,” said Martin. “Today she settled which was great and at the end of the day the race turned into who stayed and she obviously does. It looked reasonably easy so I’m still in shock.”
Martin had to miss the triumph of The Two Amigos at Chepstow on Tuesday because she was unwell but was able to get to Taunton.
“I was so ill over Christmas I have still not celebrated it,” she said. “I have had horrible flu and today is the first day I have really ventured out.
“The Two Amigos had a wonderful time. He will probably go to the Grand National Trial at Haydock in February. He is very ground dependent and Haydock is usually soft.
“Unfortunately I didn’t have a bet on Inspiratrice. I don’t gamble at all but maybe I ought to think about starting.”
