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Stuck in 20th century: owner hits out as Market Rasen verdict is upheld

The official photo-finish print involving Royal Village (near side) and Whoshotwho at Market Rasen
The official photo-finish print involving Royal Village (near side) and Whoshotwho at Market Rasen

One of the owners of Royal Village, the novice chaser who formed half of a controversial dead-heat at Market Rasen last month, has claimed "racing is stuck in the 20th century" after connections failed in an attempt to have their horse made the race's outright winner.

The Ian Williams-trained Royal Village and Whoshotwho shared the prize after senior judge Nick Bostock felt he had no option but to declare a dead-heat due to having no mirror image available to him and Royal Village's head almost totally obscuring that of Whoshotwho.

After the BHA confirmed the race's original result will stand, part-owner Jon Holmes said: "We're very disappointed with the verdict.

"It appears racing has a problem it needs to address. Photo-finishes need to have definitive technology. Other sports move on with VAR and ball tracking. Racing is stuck in the 20th century."

BHA head of media Robin Mounsey said: "Owing to the width of the track at Market Rasen a mirror would have limited reach and be of no assistance, as is the case with a number of other racecourses.

"The BHA is currently conducting a study into the feasibility of the introduction of in-field cameras and whether this would be cost-effective.”


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Lee MottersheadSenior writer

Published on 2 August 2018inNews

Last updated 18:51, 2 August 2018

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