Mangan's Derby dream dashed as BHA bars her from riding

The owner-breeder of Investec Derby hope Diore Lia was on Wednesday night refusing to run the horse at Epsom on Saturday after the BHA intervened to rule the filly could not be ridden by apprentice Gina Mangan.

Richard Aylward claimed the authority had been "got to" as the BHA used little-known rule 83, which gives discretion to refuse the declaration of a rider, to prevent Mangan taking the reins in the richest Derby ever run.

The BHA is not preventing the filly, a maiden who has run to a Racing Post Rating of 52 and races in the silks of Aylward's sister Mary Todd, from taking her chance in the race, but Aylward does not want to run the horse without Mangan, to whom he promised the ride.

Aylward, who was running the filly to raise money for Great Ormond Street Hospital, said: "The BHA have told us we cannot have Gina Mangan on board on Saturday and, as such, I’m refusing to run the horse now.

'We're not allowing her to run'

"I got a telephone call from [BHA chief regulatory officer] Jamie Stier saying they've made a decision today not to allow her to ride in the race and that the horse can run if another jockey is on board, but we’re not allowing her to run now.

"We've had people donate tonight from America to the charity, all on the grounds of the horse being in the race. We're in the Derby to have a go at it, and the BHA have been got to. They’ve changed their mind."

Mangan, 25, has ridden one winner – at Roscommon in 2009 – and has never ridden at Epsom. And last night at Kempton her misery was compounded when, riding for her boss and Diore Lia's trainer John Jenkins, she incurred a four-day ban for careless riding.

Aylward cited Stier's quote earlier this week that: "There's nothing in the rules to prevent Gina taking the ride."

The sweeping rule under which the BHA acted

Rule F (83) Powers of the Authority

83.1 The Authority may, if it considers it appropriate to do so
83.1.1 accept or refuse to accept any of the following in such circumstances as it may determine
83.1.1.1 any Scratching of a horse from a race,
83.1.1.2 any confirmation of entry in a race,
83.1.1.3 any declaration to run,
83.1.1.4 any declaration of Rider for a horse,
83.1.1.5 any alteration of any such Scratching, confirmation or declaration, or
83.1.1.6 any withdrawal of any such confirmation or declaration;
83.1.2 refuse to allow a horse duly entered to run in any race in such circumstances as the Authority may determine;
83.1.3 when accepting any such Scratching, declaration or confirmation, impose such restrictions or conditions as the Authority may determine.

'It's a load of rubbish'

He said: "The BHA was quoted saying there were no rules to prevent her riding. There is no reason she can't ride, she has a licence. They are the saying the occasion is too big for her. She could be dangerous. It's a load of rubbish. It's only another race.

"We can't get another jockey now and probably no jockey who will accept the ride, so the horse won't be running."

Aylward said he would be seeking compensation. He claimed other trainers had put pressure on the BHA not to allow Mangan to take part in the race.

"An awful lot of money was riding on the horse in small bets from all over Britain,” he continued. “All these people are getting let down. The charity is getting let down. They’re not hurting me, they’re hurting other people.

"The horse could have run a very good race. A lot of money has gone into this in the last two or three years, only for them to do this to me the day before declarations."

Gina Mangan: will not get the chance to ride in DerbyCredit: Alan Crowhurst

Stier said in a statement issued by the BHA: “The BHA has been in contact with Mr Jenkins, the trainer of Diore Lia, and the owner’s representative, regarding Gina Mangan’s participation in the Investec Epsom Derby.

“Following these discussions the connections were informed the BHA has decided under rule (F) 83 that it would be in the best interests of the sport not to accept the declaration of Gina Mangan as the rider of Diore Lia should she be put forward for the ride in the Investec Derby.

“Everyone involved in horseracing has a responsibility to place the welfare of our participants, both equine and human, first. It is in this context that the decision has been made.

'She remains inexperienced'

“While risk can never be removed entirely, it is possible to identify factors that can increase risk, and act on them. While Miss Mangan has held her licence for a number of years she remains inexperienced, with only 69 ridesand one winner to her name.

"She has never ridden at Epsom and certainly never ridden in a race on the scale and stage of the Derby, with all the unique challenges it presents.”

He continued: “While there are currently no race conditions regarding rider or horse qualification for the Derby, or any other Flat Pattern race in Britain, whether there should be is something that we have already started considering prior to the events of the last seven days, and the specific matter of Miss Mangan’s booking has been under consideration since it became known she would be booked.

'We believe the decision is correct'

“Conditions on qualification exist in the Grand National and we will continue to consider this matter as regards other races, in the interests of protecting the safety and public perception of our participants and most high-profile races.

“We fully understand this will be extremely disappointing for Miss Mangan. However, we believe the decision is the correct one in the best interests of all concerned and the sport.

"Should the BHA have not acted and an incident have occurred, then the disappointment of one rider could have been placed in stark contrast with the potential consequences.”

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