Monday 14 January 2019 11:14, UK
Sir Mark Prescott was delighted and relieved in equal measure after Eve Harrington - who somehow survived jumping out of an aeroplane in her youth - claimed a first career victory at Southwell on Sunday.
The three-year-old filly was bought for $200,000 as a yearling at Keeneland in September 2017 and Prescott travelled her back to Britain with the intention of selling her to a prospective owner.
However, that plan soon went up in smoke as shortly after arriving at Stansted Airport, Eve Harrington managed to get loose on the plane and ended up on the tarmac.
Prescott revealed it has been a long and expensive process nursing Eve Harrington back to full fitness, but after running with promise when fourth on her racecourse debut at Southwell last month, she returned to the Nottinghamshire circuit to win a seven-furlong novice event by a nose.
Prescott told Sky Sports Racing: "She was bought in America and jumped off the aeroplane at Stansted. She was so badly cut everywhere we couldn't sell her to anybody, so she's mine.
"Mercifully the family has done very well in the States since and now she's won, a rescue package for the poor trainer should be in place. It's a great relief to win the race.
"The vets who saved her were fantastic, but ran up enormous bills - I always say she's the most expensive horse in the world.
"She wrestled her way out and it was just at the wrong moment. They always do a fantastic job those flying grooms, but somehow she got herself out and the joke always is she's the only horse to jump out of an aeroplane and live - and now to win as well."
Despite his filly's unfortunate experience after flying to Britain, Prescott believes there is every chance she will board an aeroplane again at some stage to return to her homeland.
He added: "I'm sure she'll end up back there (America). Either someone will buy her now or we may send her over and cover her."
