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Void race: poor visibility and flag deficiencies cited for quashing jockey bans

Sandown: the voiding of the London National created a lot of debate
Sandown: the voiding of the London National created a lot of debateCredit: Mark Cranham

A combination of poor visibility and the yellow stop-race flag not being actively waved were contributing factors in an independent disciplinary panel overturning the ten-day bans seven jockeys received after the void London National at Sandown.

Jamie Moore, Daryl Jacob, Adam Wedge, Stan Sheppard, Harry Skelton, James Davies and Philip Donovan were handed the suspensions this month after failing to stop when the yellow flag was deployed before the third-last fence after Houblon Des Obeaux had suffered a fatal heart attack on the previous circuit.

However, after an appeal at the BHA headquarters last week, those bans were quashed allowing the riders to compete as planned over the busy festive period. On Monday the panel's full written reasons for overturning the bans were published.

The hearing centred on two questions considered by the panel. Firstly, did the jockeys see (or become aware by other means) that the stop-race flag was deployed? Secondly, ought they to have become aware of it if they in fact missed it?

Having quizzed the seven jockeys involved at length, the members of the panel were satisfied all of them were telling the truth and had not seen the flag, which was deployed by head groundsman Craig Williamson.

Such a conclusion did surprise some when the panel's decision was revealed last week, and the panel acknowledged race replays could paint a contrary picture.

But the panel found all seven jockeys to be well aware of the importance and significance of a yellow stop-race flag and were left in no doubt had they seen it they would have immediately pulled up.

The panel noted: "They fully understood the risks to injured horses, to injured riders and to others who might be attending them and even to themselves that ignoring a yellow flag might entail.

"These were not learned or collusive responses for the purposes of the appeal or their appearance before the Sandown stewards. All genuinely appreciated the safety aspects of a stop race flag."

Stewards hold an inquiry at Sandown after the void race
Stewards hold an inquiry at Sandown after the void raceCredit: Mark Cranham

That the riders bypassed the Pond Fence (third-last), returned to the racing line and completed the race was described as "a most odd thing to do" by the panel and consideration was given as to whether they had in fact mistaken the yellow flag for the black and white chequered flag which signifies runners should miss the next obstacle.

The jockeys contended that while they had not seen the flag, they had heard Williamson blow his whistle and therefore checked for hazards.

In doing so they spotted the screens around Houblon Des Obeaux, which they thought were much closer to the Pond Fence, so took the snap decision to bypass it on safety grounds.

Although labelling this decision as "extraordinary", the panel did not change its conclusion that the riders had not seen the flag.

When deciding whether they ought to have seen the flag, the fact Aidan Coleman and David Noonan did so and pulled up was considered important. Both were adrift of the other seven riders, so therefore had more time to react and "were not having to make the competitive efforts which the riders ahead of them were engaged in".

The racing line the field took on the second circuit was another key element. Williamson was standing on the line the field had taken first time around, while on the second circuit they were much closer to the inner rail.

As a consequence Williamson was at an angle to the left of the field, and it was felt he was not as visible. This, allied to Williamson holding the flag at arm's length rather than actively waving it, reinforced the jockeys' view they had not seen the flag.

In summary the panel pointed out Williamson and Sandown clerk of the course Andrew Cooper should not be scapegoated and had acted appropriately.

The BHA has announced it will review the void race procedure in the new year, and a spokesman said: “It was the position of the BHA that because a luminous yellow flag was deployed in the racing line, in front of the Pond Fence, accompanied by the blowing of the high volume Fox40 whistle, the stop race procedures were carried out adequately and in line with the existing requirements.

"As a result the BHA’s position was that the jockeys either saw, or should have seen, the flag and therefore should have pulled up."


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