Ireland’s odds to win the Eurovision Song Contest have been slashed drastically from 150/1 to 50/1 after Ryan O’Shaughnessy defied his 4/1 odds to qualify and booked Ireland a spot in Saturday’s Grand Finale for the first time in FIVE years.
We have taken a look back to see what other 50/1 outsiders defied the odds…
Austria
Austria won the Eurovision in 2014 having been installed as 50/1 shots initially. It didn’t take long however for punters to get behind Conchita Wurst and ‘Rise Like A Phoenix’ with Austria seeing heavy support following their semi-final performance which saw their price tumble. Austria went on to win with a total of 290 points; the Netherlands came second with 238 points.
Donald Trump
Donald Trump’s 2017 US Presidential win shocked everyone. We were hit with a large payout on the New York Businessman after punters latched onto opening 50/1odds for him to do the unthinkable and actually be elected as President of the United States. It happened and we are still feeling the sting.
Patrick Reed
Patrick Reed is the current Masters champion and was awarded the Green Jacket after defying his 50/1 odds. Reed was initially a 66/1 shot, but won the tournament at odds of 50/1. It was his first major title and finished just one stroke (-15) ahead of runner-up Ricky Fowler (-14).
Ellie Mac
Ellie Mac was the 2017 winner of the Horse & Jockey Hotel Maiden Hurdle at Leopardstown on St Stephen’s Day 2017. Not only was the Henry De Bromhead-trained Ellie Mac a deserving 50/1 winner, claiming a 2 ½ length victory, members of winning club are family and friends of the late Nick Schuster, who was tragically killed in Berkeley disaster.
Mine That Bird
Mine That Bird was the 50/1 longshot who won the Kentucky Derby in Louisville in 2009. Not only did Mine The Bird cause upset for bookmakers, the Bennie L. "Chip" Woolley Jr-trained then 3-year-old became one of nine geldings to win the Kentucky Derby and was the second gelding to win the race since 1929.
We have taken a look back to see what other 50/1 outsiders defied the odds…
Austria
Austria won the Eurovision in 2014 having been installed as 50/1 shots initially. It didn’t take long however for punters to get behind Conchita Wurst and ‘Rise Like A Phoenix’ with Austria seeing heavy support following their semi-final performance which saw their price tumble. Austria went on to win with a total of 290 points; the Netherlands came second with 238 points.
Donald Trump
Donald Trump’s 2017 US Presidential win shocked everyone. We were hit with a large payout on the New York Businessman after punters latched onto opening 50/1odds for him to do the unthinkable and actually be elected as President of the United States. It happened and we are still feeling the sting.
Patrick Reed
Patrick Reed is the current Masters champion and was awarded the Green Jacket after defying his 50/1 odds. Reed was initially a 66/1 shot, but won the tournament at odds of 50/1. It was his first major title and finished just one stroke (-15) ahead of runner-up Ricky Fowler (-14).
Ellie Mac
Ellie Mac was the 2017 winner of the Horse & Jockey Hotel Maiden Hurdle at Leopardstown on St Stephen’s Day 2017. Not only was the Henry De Bromhead-trained Ellie Mac a deserving 50/1 winner, claiming a 2 ½ length victory, members of winning club are family and friends of the late Nick Schuster, who was tragically killed in Berkeley disaster.
Mine That Bird
Mine That Bird was the 50/1 longshot who won the Kentucky Derby in Louisville in 2009. Not only did Mine The Bird cause upset for bookmakers, the Bennie L. "Chip" Woolley Jr-trained then 3-year-old became one of nine geldings to win the Kentucky Derby and was the second gelding to win the race since 1929.