There was drama on day two of the Galway Festival after a Jessica Harrington-trained winner was disqualified following an identity mix-up.
Newcomer Alizarine ran out a cosy winner of the Colm Quinn BMW Irish Fillies Maiden, producing a fine burst of acceleration to see off 5-4 favourite Twinkle by a length and three-quarters in second.
However, around 25 minutes after the race, an objection was lodged into the identity of Alizarine, with the stewards eventually awarding the race to Twinkle. A Harrington-trained runner later on the card, the three-year-old Aurora Princess, was subsequently withdrawn by order of the stewards.
Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board spokesman Niall Cronin said in a statement: “All horses are checked on arrival. Alizarine is in Galway, she arrived here with the rest of Mrs Harrington's runners, Aurora Princess also being one of them.
“Mrs Harrington didn't saddle the runners for that race herself but subsequently has accepted full responsibility for what has happened.
“In the inquiry itself she expressed the similarity between the two fillies. I think she referred to them as being almost identical, she may have even said that they were like twins.
“When the winner of race two arrived back to be checked again by the IHRB officials, prior to the winner alright being announced, the filly could not be positively identified.
“Further examination by the IHRB veterinary officer confirmed that the filly was indeed Aurora Princess so an objective was lodged by the veterinary officer.
“The stewards enquired into the matter and Mrs Harrington accepted that the wrong filly had run. She held her hands up and accepted full responsibility.
“The stewards, using their power under 262 (iv) c, disqualified Alizarine.
“It's an unfortunate incident. Because of the time restraints on a raceday the matter has been referred on to allow for a full investigation.”
