Void race fiasco at Sedgefield, but Sky Bet punters get paid out
Tuesday 25 November 2014 17:07, UK
Debt To Society's victory in the Compare Bookies Odd at bookies.com Handicap Chase has been expunged from the formbook after a yellow flag was incorrectly waved at the runners on the first circuit - but Sky Bet punters were paid out as if the victory of the 4/1 chance stood.
As the field approached a bypassed obstacle, being omitted due to the low sun, on the first circuit, a member of the track's groundstaff incorrectly waved a yellow flag - signifying a void race - rather than the correct black-and-white chequered flag.
The correct flag was displayed on the second circuit, and on neither occasion did any of the jockeys make as if to pull up or stop riding.
However, despite the race continuing to unfold and Debt To Society ultimately denying favourite Apache Pilot by a neck, the stewards felt they had no option but to void the race given that the Rules of Racing state that a jockey must pull up immediately when the yellow flag is shown.
The frustrated winning trainer Richard Ford said: "It is quite a bizarre set of circumstances, but surely it didn't affect the result.
"The stewards are guided by the rules. As I understand it the fence was bypassed because of low sun and a chequered flag should have been raised.
"The flagman actually waved a yellow flag - which means stop the race - by mistake, but because of the low sun the jockeys couldn't really tell which flag he was waving anyway.
"He waved the correct flag on the second circuit but they all carried on and the result was in no way affected.
"They've run three and a half miles in heavy ground so it's not as if these horses run tomorrow and mine is a quirky devil so I was delighted he won.
"I'm disappointed for his owner because it is the not the fault of the jockeys. As I understand it all the jockeys are getting 10-day bans, too.
"It seems very harsh but those are the rules, and the stewards on track, Robert Earnshaw and Alan Dempsey, are bound by them.
"It just doesn't make any common sense. The double whammy would be if he goes up in the handicap."
The Stewards held an inquiry into the incident and interviewed the jockeys along with the fence attendant and the clerk of the course, Sophie Barton.
Michael McAlister, who acted as spokesman for the jockeys, stated that the riders were made aware before the race that the fence was going to be bypassed. He added that while he heard the whistle being blown, visibility was poor and he did not check the colour of the flag that was being waved to remind them to miss the fence.
Having heard their evidence and viewed recordings of the race the Stewards found all the riders in breach of Rule (B)48.1 and guilty of failing to pull up once the ‘stop race’ flag had been deployed.
They suspended all of the riders for 10 days between Tuesday December 9 and Thursday December 18 inclusive.
The Stewards ordered a report in relation to the 'deployment of the yellow flag' to be forwarded to the British Horseracing Authority.
Arena Racing Company, the owners of Sedgefield, is to compensate connections of the horses involved.
Jim Allen, ARC's racing director said: "We apologise for the inconvenience caused to all those involved with the race.
"ARC will be following up with all the connections of the seven runners and making appropriate compensation to each one.
"The team at Sedgefield will review the incident with the BHA in order to ensure such an error cannot occur again."
Paul Struthers, chief executive of the Professional Jockeys Association, said appeals against the suspensions could be considered.
He tweeted: "If there are criticisms to be made we'll make them, and if there are grounds for appeal we'll appeal.
Bookmakers Sky Bet elected to pay out on the 4/1 winner on all bets, including multiples and forecasts, and void all losers.
Spokesman Michael Shinners said: "These are very unusual circumstances and we felt it right to reward our customers by paying punters who managed to find the winner."
