BHA investigating Hereford gamble
The BHA’s integrity and licensing department are beginning an investigation into the betting patterns behind a shock winner at Hereford.
Am I Blue left plenty of people red-faced when she won the Wyvern Ices Handicap Hurdle at Hereford on Wednesday by 19 lengths, as her price in the market dropped to just a fifth of its original odds.
There was precious little reason for backers to suddenly support Am I Blue on previous form. She had failed to win on any of her 16 career starts and had been beaten 88 lengths in a similar race at Worcester just 15 days before the Hereford race. Then Am I Blue had been trained by Tim Vaughan but had moved to new trainer Delyth Thomas, who is based near Bridgend.
The story was given an added layer of intrigue when the original jockey, 5lb claimer Dean Coleman, called racecourse officials to say that he would not be available to take the ride. Coleman was replaced by Richard Johnson, who employed different tactics as he sent Am I Blue to the front from the start, where she stayed to win comfortably.
The trainer, who had not saddled a winner over jumps in 1973 days, was unaware of the source of the sustained support in the markets, claiming that she had only planned to have £5 each-way on the horse but was dissuaded when she saw how her odds had contracted. Her explanation for the improvement in form was because Am I Blue had undergone spinal therapy that had helped alleviate a shoulder problem and the decision to use front-running tactics, which was it seems suggested by Johnson.
The racecourse stewards accept Thomas's explanation for the improvement in the horse’s form and chose not hold an official inquiry. However that did not preclude the BHA form investigating what had led to a nationwide gamble.
Paul Struthers, head of communications for the BHA, speaking to the Racing Post, said: "When a horse wins showing improved form, having been heavily supported and subject to a jockey change, it is vital for the integrity of the sport that all of the facts are established. Our integrity department spoke to the racecourse stewards, who obtained two possible reasons for the improvement in form.
"It remains entirely possible that everything was above board, but it is just as important to prove if that was the case as it is to prove it wasn't. Therefore our integrity services and licensing department will be looking into all of the circumstances of Am I Blue's victory at Hereford today."
Clearly given the linkage of circumstances, all of which can have an entirely innocent explanation. There seems to be confusion over just why Coleman was not able to take the ride with reasons including illness, a dental appointment or a puncture on the way to the track with reports that he was present on the course before the race simply adding spice to the tale.
Then there is what inspired the gamble in the first place. Thomas also owns the horse so the number of people who could have known about the spinal treatment would have been few and how could any of them have been sure that the filly would improve so much anyway?
The BHA needs to at least show that there is nothing sinister if only to allay public disquiet.
This story is sure to run and run – just like Am I Blue.
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