The 12:50 Ladbrokes Novice Stakes at Southwell racecourse on the all weather Fibresand track on Sunday threw up one of the most feel good stories the racing world has witnessed this year.
The 5/4 favourite Eve Harrington for trainer Sir Mark Prescott went on to take the contest on just the horses second start as a race horse but this win for the trainer is more the personal journey this horse has taken in her life to even just be able to race.
The three year old had come a good fourth at Southwell at the start of December and that would have been enough for the horse but on Sunday she got up on the line to take a narrow win to the delight of her trainer and owner.
The win was so significant for Sir Mark Prescott because this horse came over from America after being bought for $200,000 at the 2017 Keeneland Sales as a yearling.
On the plane journey back she broke out of her stall and jumped out of the plane onto the Stansted runway and picked up significant injuries that could have seen her never race at all.
(Credit Racing Post) Prescott said: "We bought her for an owner who said he didn't fancy her.
"I said, 'That's fine, I'll sell her in England', but she jumped out of the plane at Stansted.
"She got out of the stall and on to the runway. She was cut from top to toe, so of course we couldn't sell her and I'm afraid she's mine."
This is one of the only horses in his career that he has trained and owned at the same time, and he said: "I always say this is the most expensive horse in the world because all she's done is rack up bills until now.
"I've never owned a horse before and my accountant said I must send myself bills – they kept coming in. I'd had no idea what I was sending my poor owners until I had to pay them!"
Eve Harrington is a truly remarkable racing story as it wasn't good enough that vets had nursed her back to health after her leap of faith onto the airports runway but for her to have the courage to go on and be successful as a racehorse is amazing.
She went on to take the contest by a nose to Barossa Red in the seven furlong event under the ride of Luke Morris. She finished just one-hundredth of a second quicker than her opponent.
"The family has done very well in America," said Prescott. "Maraud won the Group 2 on Derby day in Kentucky and he's a half-brother so I'll be rescued now she's won!"