7lb claimer pulls off remarkable front-running 80-1 shock after being almost half a furlong clear of their rivals

Patrick McGettigan pulled off a remarkable 80-1 masterstroke on Albion Princess in the 1m2½f handicap at Dundalk on Friday evening when desperately holding on for a last-gasp success after pulling well clear of the field at one stage.

The Donal Kinsella-trained six-year-old was sent off the rank outsider having been winless since 2022, and it looked like she was running away with the 7lb claimer down the back straight with the partnership at least half a furlong in front. However, the jockeys on the 11 other runners remained unmoved.

There was still a big distance to the pack turning into the home straight when the other riders began to send out their warning signals, before Albion Princess started to paddle. The gap greatly diminished inside the final furlong, but she held on to deny 4-1 joint-favourite Chopsticks by a head.

McGettigan told Racing TV: "Donal said she loves being in front and if she feels like she's running away with you, that's the best way you can have her. She's got loads of ability, it was just trying to get it out of her.

"We wanted to make the rest of them work for it, but I didn't realise how far in front we were. She half ran away with me, but thank god it worked out in the end."

It was a second win of 2025 for McGettigan and a week after his first on 50-1 shot Hezahunk. Albion Princess also ended a 544-day wait for a Flat winner for Kinsella. 

McGettigan added: "Sometimes I can get the whip out a bit quick, but I made sure I was hands and heels at points to not go over the limit. Hopefully the run keeps going no matter what the price of the winners are."

How the incident unfolded

The pack attempt to close, but Albion Princess has already straightened up for homeCredit: Racing TV

Albion Princess builds a significant lead down the back straightCredit: Racing TV

Turning for home, Albion Princess has a significant lead on the packCredit: Racing TV

The pack attempt to close, but Albion Princess has already straightened up for homeCredit: Racing TV

Albion Princess starts to paddle in the straight, with the pack still attempting to bridge the gap in the final furlongCredit: Racing TV

Albion Princess hangs on by a head from joint-favourite Chopsticks (far side), with Gardone (red) close up in thirdCredit: Racing TV

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