Tracy Waggott, Spennymoor: Heavenly Heather 200-1 winner at Newcastle

Tracy Waggott, from the Awakening Stables in Spennymoor, admitted that her horse Heavenly Heather “had always been good” but was “lost for words” after the horse caused a 200-1 sensation on All-Weather Finals Day at Newcastle yesterday.

Tracy Waggott at Newcastle races (Image: SKY SPORTS RACING) Running in the BetMGM Fillies’ And Mares’ Championships Handicap, jockey Amie Waugh and horse Heavenly Heather roared to victory when the odds were stacked against them.

But she overcame her odds to become the 12th horse since the turn of the century to strike at 200-1 in Britain.

The longest-priced winner in UK history was 250-1 Equinoctial at Kelso in November 1990.

Heavenly Heather ridden by Amie Waugh on their way to winning the BetMGM Fillies’ And Mares’ Championships Handicap at Newcastle Racecourse, Newcastle upon Tyne (Image: PA MEDIA) Following the race, a visibly emotional Waggott could be seen celebrating next to the track and saying that she was “over the moon” with the win.

“I knew she’s always been good, and been well – and come in season. She’s been flying at home this last week, you know?” She told Sky Sports Racing following the historic win.

Heavenly Heather ridden by Amie Waugh after winning the BetMGM Fillies’ And Mares’ Championships Handicap at Newcastle Racecourse, Newcastle upon Tyne (Image: PA MEDIA) “I was screaming and supporting her. She is a heavy girl, but she came out on top”.

What a moment for Tracy Waggott and the owners of Heavenly Heather at @NewcastleRaces! 🙌 pic.twitter.com/2hDdaEsxXu

— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) April 18, 2025

She added: “Marvellous, I can’t believe it. She’s always been a good horse at home, but she’s heavy-topped and heavy-framed and takes all the work you can give her.

“When I entered, I said it was a £750 entry fee, but I’m sure she’ll be in the first six. I thought if you took the top two out, it’s just like a basic Class Four handicap.

“She was green and backwards and took a while to get used to racing. She’s a chestnut filly and her own woman, but I knew there was improvement in her.

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“It was so exciting because we didn’t expect it, but I thought she could be in the first six.”

Heavenly Heather had failed to win in her five previous outings, but jockey Waugh made great use of her draw in stall 14, sticking to the favoured rail in winning by half a length from Aramis Grey.

The winner was named after the late mother of part-owner Chris Rain, who said: “My mum, Heather, passed away a year ago, and she named this horse before she died. We were not expecting this – we would have been happy with sixth!”