Trainer 'never had a penny' on his 300-1 winning horse Crokes Cross

Crokes Cross stunned the British horse racing scene by winning her debut race at Kelso with astonishing odds of 300-1, equalling the UK record for the longest-priced winner. Despite this remarkable achievement, the trainer, Stuart Coltherd, admitted he did not place any bets on the horse. Speaking on Radio Scotland’s Mornings with Stephen Jardine, Coltherd confessed his regret at missing the chance to back either Crokes Cross or her stablemate Changemyluck, who also competed in the same race.

The two-mile novice hurdle event concluded with Crokes Cross finishing ahead by a length and a quarter, under the guidance of jockey Jamie Hamilton. Changemyluck, one of the race favorites with odds of 5-2, was the runner-up. This victory marked Coltherd’s first winner since March 2025, breaking a nearly year-long spell without success. Based in Selkirk in the Scottish Borders, the trainer explained that typically he would have bet a small amount on his horses, which in this case could have yielded a substantial payout.

Coltherd reflected on why he didn’t wager this time, saying the season had not been fruitful, with many near misses and placements but few wins, which led him not to bother betting. He also shared an anecdote about a punter who intended to place a £5 bet on Changemyluck but inadvertently backed Crokes Cross instead, resulting in a windfall of around £1,500.

Ladbrokes spokesperson Alex Apati commented that only a few bets were made on Crokes Cross, with the most notable win being a £1.8k return from a £5 each-way stake. This victory elevated Crokes Cross alongside Blowers, who previously won with the same 300-1 odds at Exeter in December. Both horses broke the previous record of 250-1, held by Equinoctial, who also triumphed at Kelso back in 1990

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