'I backed him at 66-1, 100-1 and 150-1' - owner confident bookies had it wrong

Our Best of 2021 series, featuring our most popular interviews, features and news stories, runs until the end of the year on Racing Post digital platforms, and readers can expect big names, punchy views and great stories every day.

This piece was originally published in April and you can read more from our award-winning team of journalists in full via Members' Club Ultimate. Find out more about our special offer here.

The owner of shock Irish Grand National winner Freewheelin Dylan revealed she kept backing the 150-1 winner the bigger the price went.

You can hear Jerry Hannon’s commentaries from trainer Dermot McLoughlin’s yard four miles down the road from Fairyhouse and Freewheelin Dylan’s shock success was a local victory in every sense of the word given the horse is owned by the handler’s head groom Sheila Mangan.

Freewheelin Dylan may have been sent off a 150-1 outsider for the most valuable jumps race in Ireland but Mangan’s confidence belied such odds.

Freewheelin Dylan becomes biggest-priced Irish National winner ever

Speaking from her base in Garristown, County Dublin, the jubilant owner said: “I backed him at 66-1 and I thought that was a hell of a price. Then he went out to 100-1 and I thought, ‘What is wrong with people?’

"Then he went 150-1 and I said, ‘Ah for feck sake, I have to have a bit of that as well’. So I backed him at 66-1, 100-1 and 150-1. We got a nice few quid and it will pay for a party when we can have one.”

What did Mangan see that the rest of us didn’t?

“I was so confident in our chances when I knew that Ricky [Doyle] was going to be riding him because he looked after the horse on days the ground was against us,” she explained.

“He knew today that everything was coming right. It didn’t matter that he hadn’t run in a while because Dermot can get them ready first time up – he’s a class trainer.

“When Vics Canvas was third in the Aintree National, I’ll never forget Dermot told me that Freewheelin Dylan was his next National horse. He was dead right. Please God, he might go to Aintree next year.”

'I haven't come back down to earth'

Mangan is a former whipper-in to the Ward Union Hunt, and it was the Ward Union’s huntsmen Pat Coyle and Darren Campbell who accompanied her winner back in on Monday.

And while Mangan may be the official owner of Freewheelin Dylan, she was keen to stress that the victory belonged just as much to every one of McLoughlin’s small and loyal bunch of stable staff.

She said: “I haven’t come back down to earth and I don’t plan on it any time soon either. I’d be inclined to celebrate these kind of things because they only happen once in a blue moon.”

Mangan added: “I'll be back to welcome the horse to the yard and there will be a glass or two of champagne. I couldn’t believe when they came to the fourth-last he was still hacking.

“I said to myself that he would be placed at worst. He was still in his comfort zone. I kept saying to Dermot that he would stay. I had great belief in him. I’m just delighted for everyone in the yard. It’s as much their win as it is mine.”

Read more from our Best of 2021 series:

The jumps season is broken - so how would some of racing's deep thinkers fix it? (Members' Club)

Rachael Blackmore makes history on 11-1 Minella Times in 2021 Grand National

McCoy v Ruby - the punditry mismatch between ITV's two star signings (Members' Club)

'These horses don't come around often' - Derby hero Adayar emulates Galileo

Jamie Spencer: 'If you don't like the way I ride, don't bet on me or don't book me for a ride' (Members' Club)

'Wish you break your neck and never ride again' - social media abuse laid bare

The best try at a coup in ten years: bookie reveals secret to 'quick hit' gamble (Members' Club)

Bookies spared massive payout as third leg of gamble is beaten at Musselburgh

Betfair punter lands incredible £1 million six-fold accumulator from £11.50 bet

Matt Chapman: 'I'm a very proud public schoolboy – but probably not a typical one' (Members' Club)

Aidan O'Brien: 'Drug talk must stop – don't tear apart the sport with no facts' (Members' Club)

Patrick Mullins: I thought I could win the National – but in five strides it all went up in smoke

Leonna Mayor: 'People have no idea what my life has been like – I've no reason to be ashamed' (Members' Club)

FESTIVE OFFER: Racing Post Members' Club 50% off for three months!

'Tis the season to be jolly, and the perfect time to celebrate with a subscription to Racing Post Members' Club!

Featuring award-winning journalism, expert tips and renowned form study tools, this is the only racing subscription you need to stay ahead of the field.

Throughout the festive season you can get 50% off your first THREE months of Members' Club Ultimate. That's just £17.48 per month* to unlock all premium features.

Head to the offer page here to find out more!

*T&Cs apply