There was drama in the opening race on Coral-Eclipse day at Sandown, with a stewards’ inquiry called following a photo-finish.
The judge announced the Jessica Macey-trained Phoenix Star (6-1) as the narrow-margin winner from Hurricane Ivor (11-1), trained by William Haggas, in the Coral ‘Beaten-By-A-Length’ Free Bet Handicap.
However, the stewards called an inquiry before the jockeys had weighed in and, after deliberation, the officials decided it was a dead-heat – even though the mirror image on the print appeared to show Hurricane Ivor had narrowly edged it.
A further inquiry was held into a problem with the mirror image of the photo, after which Shaun Parker, the British Horseracing Authority's head of stewarding, said: “We knew the result was close and we have procedures in place where photo-finishes are checked by the stewards in the stewards' room as well.
“We noticed there was a discrepancy between the actual photograph itself and the mirror image. There was a noticeable difference between the two at which he point we asked the judge to have another look to make sure as the mirror appeared to be out.
“At the same time they were looking at the third and fourth place and they had picked up there was a difference there too, but those two places were a lot clearer in terms of where the horses had finished.
“We then went back to the judge and sent the photographs back and the stewards looked at the monitor to see if we could get the result out.
Shaun Parker, Chief Steward Sandown, explains why a dead-heat was called
“We couldn't use the mirror image as there was a slight distortion at the top section of the mirror image. The judge was then not satisfied on the evidence she had on the actual photograph with the noses that she could sufficiently call the result.
“On the image we had we could not clearly say there was one horse was ahead of the other one in terms of the photograph and the fairest result was to declare a dead-heat.
“What we did then was we had an inquiry into why the mirror image did not work. We have compiled a report and that has been forwarded on to the head office of the British Horseracing Authority."
Macey said: “It’s fair to say that was a rollercoaster of emotions, but I’ll take a dead-heat!
“This is by far my biggest winner, I never even thought I’d have a runner on Eclipse day never mind a winner.
“Chris Dwyer is my uncle, I’ve also worked for Charlie Appleby. I’m training out of John Balding’s old yard near Doncaster.
“I’ve about 15 horses, but only six running at the moment with the others youngsters.”
A number of bookmakers announced they would pay out on both horses as the full winners.
Hurricane Ivor was having his second start for Haggas following a move from France, where he had some smart form.
The Newmarket handler said: “In the top picture it looks like we’ve won, but in the bottom picture it looks like a dead-heat. The amazing thing is how the judge called the other one the winner. That’s one thing that didn’t happen!
“Hopefully they show everyone what I’ve seen. The third and fourth were the other way round, too. It’s pretty difficult, but I won’t be appealing. It’s the original result I’ve a problem with.”
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very very interesting,i think this is akin to the KINGSTON stakes at caymanas park that caused the bruhaha about the final result.did further and beyond get pipped in the so called GLASS HOUSE by minature man,did the stewards appease the favorite with a consolatory result of a dead heat to make not seem that further and beyond lost by the narrowest of margins..who knows..lets wait to see if this will come to light.
There is suppose to be an inquiry by the JRC. Let us see where that goes and if any changes will be made. Thanks for your comments. It is appreciated.