'I did feel really sorry for Mick and Rose - they were such unlucky losers'

Betfair's in-running market has seen some huge sums traded and lost after the impossible somehow became reality. In a new series called Room 1.01, we recall some of racing's most expensive defeats.

This week's subject: Whistledown

The horses

It is not every day a run-of-the-mill nursery on a quiet Sunday is a hotbed of drama, but the Sky Bet Sunday Series fixture at Sandown last August would prove to be just that.

A field of ten juveniles, most of whom had gained enough experience on the track already to put to bed any fears of misdemeanours during the race, went to post in the 5f contest and the betting was headed by the Rod Millman-trained Amazonian Dream, who had scored at Newbury on his previous start.

Reappearing against Amazonian Dream was the Mick Channon-trained Whistledown, who had finished fifth behind her rival at Newbury but already had winning experience at Nottingham earlier in the season.

It would also be a big chance for 7lb claimer Rose Dawes, who was set for a key ride in front of the ITV cameras on a live fancy and against the champion jockey Oisin Murphy, who was set to partner Amazonian Dream.

The race

All went smoothly at the start for Whistledown, who quickly got into a prime position just behind the leaders following a sharp start from the stalls, while market leader Amazonian Dream had plenty to do having dwelt at the start under Murphy and being squeezed of room just a furlong into the contest.

With such little time over five furlongs, the nightmare start forced Murphy to make the crucial decision to switch his mount away from Sandown's golden highway on the rail to the outer in a bid to try to make headway.

However, they still had it all to do to catch Whistledown and Dawes, who had bagged the rail, stormed into the lead and began to stretch clear of the field. A notable winner for Dawes on terrestrial television looked all but likely in what would have been a huge moment in her burgeoning career.

4.50 Sandown: Sky Bet Sunday Series Nursery result and replay

The result even looked like a sure thing despite the fast-finishing effort of Amazonian Dream, but the dream success turned into a nightmare within a flash and almost millimetres away from the photo-finish mirror.

In a bitter twist of fate, Whistledown would take a false step and lose her back-end while in a clear lead well inside the final furlong, causing the filly to jink and almost unseat a helpless Dawes.

While she was able to recover, victory could not be salvaged. All momentum had been lost and Amazonian Dream and Murphy would nab the pair right on the line.

Whistledown (left) powers into a clear lead, with Amazonian Dream (white cap) in pursuitCredit: Racing TV

Amazonian Dream and Oisin Murphy begin to close on the leader but time is running outCredit: Racing TV

Dawes drives for the line on Whistledown as Murphy and Amazonian Dream finish wellCredit: Racing TV

The pair flash past the post together, seconds after Whistledown had taken a false stepCredit: Racing TV

It took a lengthy photo finish to separate the pair – indeed, Racing TV's reporter that day Tom Stanley remained confident Whistledown had held on – before the judge announced the result to a shocked crowd.

More than £40,000 was matched on Whistledown at the dreaded 1.01 on the Betfair Exchange. In fact, she would hit 1.01 twice – with £23,381 matched in-running, while a further £18,050 was matched in the photo-finish betting.

The official photo-finish print involving Whistledown (far side) and Amazonian DreamCredit: RaceTech

The in-running comment

Whistledown

Chased leader, switched right and pushed along to challenge over 1f out, soon ridden to lead, kept on well until took false step and almost unseated rider, headed post

What they say

Rod Millman, trainer of Amazonian Dream

It was a very dramatic race. He was a very lucky winner, but he'd have been a very unlucky loser too. He did get boxed in and missed the break, so it was remarkable that he got up to win on the line.

In all honesty I thought we were beat, so it did turn out to be a pleasant surprise, especially with him getting injured so shortly after. It was lucky we had a last win with him, one person's bad luck is another's good one, you know.

Rod Millman: 'He was a very lucky winner, but he'd have been a very unlucky loser too'Credit: Edward Whitaker

I did feel really sorry for Mick and Rose – they were such unlucky losers. It was a weird old race, one which I've never seen the like of before. He's a strong horse, though, which may have helped him get up.

He had his season cut short in the end by a hip injury as he got cast in his box, but at the time he was quite progressive and was starting to get his act together. Hopefully he can improve this year after his injury and it'll be nice if it's a bit less rough and tumble than that race!

What happened next

There would be no subsequent drama for Dawes or Whistledown following their dramatic mishap but no victories either, with five subsequent starts for the filly yielding no success.

After finishing an encouraging third on her seasonal return at Nottingham, she could manage only fourth at Salisbury in late April and remains on the quest to pick up another much-deserved success.

It has not been smooth for Amazonian Dream either, whose luck ran out following his Sandown win when suffering an injury that kept him out for the rest of 2021. However, he made his return at the Esher track in May.

Rose Dawes 'livid' after last-second stumble costs her victory on Whistledown

Read more from our Room 1.01 series:

Tofino Bay: the day Patrick Mullins hailed a 'fantastic taxi' but still won at Cheltenham

Zarkandar: 'We left nothing out there' – how Reve De Sivola snatched dramatic Long Walk win

Minellacelebration: 'It's not like he fell in a hole or anything' – the horse beaten at 1.01, twice

Cotai Glory: 'I got absolute howls of abuse walking back in – it was horrific'

Go West Young Man: 'He turned sharp left and over to the far rail – it was a proper handbrake turn'

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