A weekend of incredible highs and one desperate low

One weekend, four runners, four places and one very disappointing decision.

We have huge reason to be proud following one of our busiest ever weekends, with Far From A Ruby, Kath’s Toyboy and Ralphy Boy Two all finishing second and Fortuitous Star finishing third.

But it was tarnished somewhat by a frankly bizarre decision from the Lingfield stewards to demote Kath’s Toyboy from first place.

Battling on gamely inside the final furlong, Kath’s was clear in the lead when edging left - but jockey Rhys Clutterbuck was perfectly poised with his whip in the correct position and no contact was made with eventual winner Real Estate.

But the stewards found Kath had “intimidated” Real Estate and after hearing evidence from young claimer Rhys and Real Estate’s rider Rab Havlin decided the intimidation was such that only a change in result would suffice.

The stewards said: “An enquiry was held to consider the placings in this race when the winner KATH’S TOYBOY, ridden by Rhys Clutterbuck had interfered with REAL ESTATE (IRE), placed second, ridden by Robert Havlin. Having heard the evidence, The Stewards considered the interference was accidental but had improved the placing of KATH’S TOYBOY as the gelding shifted left-handed intimidating REAL ESTATE (IRE) off its intended line before being corrected, as REAL ESTATE (IRE) was finishing fast to be beaten a diminishing nose. The Stewards felt the loss of momentum and ground he forfeited by being carried left was greater than the nose by which he was beaten.”

Needless to say, we will be appealing the decision made and feel it sets a dangerous precedent for racing going forward.

Michael Keady, joint trainer with Mike Murphy of Kath’s Toyboy, said: “There was no contact between Kath’s Toyboy and Real Estate and Rhys had his whip in the correct hand.

“If they are saying it is intimidation then virtually every single day of the week they are going to have to change results for horses veering off a straight line.

“All we want is consistency and this is not it. It is a decision that sets quite a precedent. If they throw us out, they will be doing it every day.

“Look at The Ridler in the Norfolk. Paul Hanagan got 10 days but kept the race, here nobody got a ban and we lost it. It is so disappointing.”

That aside, three seconds and a third from four runners is something to be so proud of and takes our yearly tally to 31 top three finishes from 81 runs, an outstanding strike rate at any level.

Thank you to our wonderful owners, trainers, jockeys and the stable staff who do an amazing job.