PUNTERS were raging over this ‘absolutely shocking’ ride that saw a trainer fined more than £5,000 in farcical scenes.
The jockey and even the horse were also banned as furious bettors hit the roof over the Irish contest.
Ellaat, seen at the back of the field here, and the horse’s jockey have been banned after this massively controversial run
Byrnes, who was fined more than £5,000, admitted his horse’s run was ‘not pleasant viewing’Sportsfile – Subscription
Charles Byrnes, the trainer at the centre of the storm, admitted the whole debacle was ‘not pleasant viewing’.
Ellaat was sent off 3-1 favourite for a 1m6f handicap at Gowran Park on Wednesday evening.
Apprentice 5lb claimer jockey Gearoid Brouder was in the saddle on the seven-year-old gelding, who was making his second start under Byrnes.
The horse finished fourth after being brought right over to the other side of the track from the outside stall 17.
But that only told half the story.
Ellaat made a move into midfield but approaching the final furlong appeared to be asked to give next to nothing.
Stewards were quick to pick up on the ride and hurled Byrnes and Brouder in for questioning.
Bosses ruled both were in breach of Rule 212A(i), in that ‘both were involved in the running and/or riding of a horse in a race, who deliberately or recklessly causes or permitted a horse to run other than on its merits’.
Brouder was banned for 21 days and forced to give up his riding fee – while Ellaat has been barred from running for 90 days.
An investigation into betting patterns regarding the horse could now be launched.
The official IHRB report read: “Evidence was heard from the rider and trainer concerned.
“G.P. Brouder, stated that his instructions were to settle his mount early, get it to relax as it had made a noise previously and to do his best from there.
“He said his mount settled well but made a noise at the first bend and this continued throughout the race.
“He said he tried to quicken the pace from about halfway so it would not turn into a sprint in the closing stages and that his mount hung right in the home straight, but despite this was ridden to the best of his ability.
“He concluded by stating that his mount was leg weary after the winning post and was dismounted and walked back in. He accepted that his mount took some time to pull up after the race and had continued galloping until after the mile start.
“When questioned why he did not pull up his mount during the race despite making such a noise, he stated that he was happy to continue because it had made a noise previously.
“C. Byrnes confirmed the instructions given and referred to his charges wind issues.
“He said he was disappointed with the ride given and referred to it as ‘not pretty viewing’ but when asked if he felt the rider should have pulled his charge up, he stated that the rider was correct not to pull the animal up and referred to it as being being ‘only a low rated animal’.
“On further questioning when asked if he felt the animal was prevented from running on its merits, he was satisfied that this had not occurred.
“The Raceday Stewards also received a report from the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer, who stated that Ellaat was coughing post race, but was otherwise post race normal. Samples were taken for analysis.”
Fair to say punters were less than impressed at what had gone on.
Respected tipster Gavin Lynch wrote: “Just watched it. Not good.”
One punter fumed: “Absolute joke.”
Another wrote: “A f***ing disgrace of a ride – 100 per cent the correct decision and fair play to the stewards.”