A HORSE called Basingstoke has finally won its first race – and punters could have scored a big win if they had placed a bet on him.

Basingstoke came first in the 12.40pm race at Southwell, Nottinghamshire on Tuesday, despite starting as an outsider at 25/1.

It was Basingstoke’s first victory in six attempts, and meant his new owners went home with winnings of £1,941.

As reported in The Gazette, the five-year-old started his flat-track racing career as a gelding at the Park House Stables, in Winchester Road, Kingsclere.

He was owned by the Kingsclere Racing Club, whose president is Clare Balding, the well-known sports presenter and sister of Andrew Balding, licensed trainer at Park House Stables.

It was Mr Balding’s wife Anna-Lisa who came up with the name, which was in keeping with Basingstoke’s stallion, Elus-ive City.

In May 2012, Basingstoke came 10th in a field of 17 in his first race at Newbury.

But in Spring last year, Basingstoke went to the sales, and was bought for £12,000 by Straightline Construction Ltd, a building firm based near Newcastle.

Basingstoke’s new home is with Dalgleish Racing, a stable in Lanarkshire, Scotland.

Trainer Keith Dalgleish said: “It was very nice to win, especially as that’s only his third race with us.

“He is a character and pretty headstrong and wants to get on with things. The owner had been thinking of putting him back in the sales but whether he will do that now he’s won, I don’t know.”

Mr Dalgleish plans to enter Basingstoke in his next race within 10 days.