Void-race drama leaves Ryan furious over 'ridiculous' flag mix-up

Kevin Ryan blasted racing for being "stuck in the dark ages" after the 6f Chelmsford handicap 'won' by his Nautical Haven on Thursday was declared void, the advanced flag operator having mistakenly raised a recall flag and initiated the stop-race procedure.

The seven jockeys were unaware and raced on as normal after the AFO – who gave her name only as Sara – compounded the error by failing to complete the stop-race procedure by continuously waving her flag and blowing her whistle.

It was an afternoon of high drama and high winds at Chelmsford after Storm Doris threatened to force the abandonment of the meeting following the first two races.

The delayed card got the green light after an inspection, only for the void race to then provoke the ire of connections – who received their prizes before the announcement came over the tannoy – punters and bookmakers.

An angry Ryan, whose horse crossed the line a length and a half in front, said: "I'm very disappointed. It was the horse's first race for a new owner. It was a sheer cock-up.

Nautical Haven (right) heads for home under Lewis Edmunds, only for the race to be declared voidCredit: Alan Crowhurst

"All the lads carried on riding and it was just a technicality. It's a long way to travel and we should be compensated. It's not just the owner who suffers though; apprentice Lewis Edmunds has driven there and back and misses out on a winner through no fault of his own.

"Our technology is stuck in the dark ages. To rely on a flag person in this day and age is ridiculous. In France they have lights that come on [to highlight a false start].

"The stewards have to take a lot of blame for pushing everyone so fast to make up the time. The starter was rushed, the flag person was rushed. That's how mistakes happen."

On whether his charge could now be reassessed by the handicapper despite the race being declared void, Ryan added: "I'm not sure what the handicapper can do, but if we go up we really will be kicking off."

Some punters and observers on social media questioned the need to void the contest, seeing jockeys had been unaware of the recall flag being raised, but BHA head of media Robin Mounsey stressed that allowing the result to stand was not possible under the rules.

“There are no circumstances in which the stop-race procedures can be initiated and then the race not restarted or declared void," said Mounsey.

"Once the stop-race procedures are initiated the jockeys must pull up. This is a black-and-white rule and all jockeys are aware of this.

“In this case no action was taken against the jockeys because the stop-race procedure, once initiated, was not completed – no whistle was blown and the flag was not waved continuously.

'The race must be declared void'

"However, this does not mean the stewards can ignore the fact that the stop-race procedure was initiated, and therefore the race must be declared void.

“We are aware of the consequences of this and have sympathy for those affected – it's a far from satisfactory situation for all involved in the race – but we hope people will understand a sport simply cannot be regulated in a manner whereby clear rules can be disregarded by the stewards, when there's no discretion to do so in the rules.”

As mentioned by Ryan, the BHA is in fact trialling a new automated recall system, similar to that used in several jurisdictions, involving flashing lights and sirens.

It is understood the AFO admitted her mistake to stewards, while the starter for the race was the experienced Willie Jardine, who said: "I started the race as normal and although it was windy I still had my flag unfurled, rather than in hand as others do. It was just I don't think she saw it. It was one of those things."

Storm Doris blows the window through in the commentators area at ChelmsfordCredit: Alan Crowhurst

All the jockeys were adamant they had no reason to think the race had been aborted, including Josephine Gordon, rider of fifth-placed Zamjar, who said: "I didn't see a flag. As it was we were struggling to control half a hundredweight of horse when the stalls are rattling in the wind. I don't see why it should be voided as no-one pulled up."

Archie Watson, trainer of fourth home Alkashaaf, said: "I feel sorry for the winning owners. It cost us £480 but nearly £6,500 is another matter."

Joseph Tuite, trainer of Grecian Divine, who finished last, added: "I won't be billing my owner the £300 for the transport here as it's not fair. If we do something wrong we get hammered, but if it's them it never seems to be the same."

'It's a bit of a shambles'

Would-be winning owner Adam Hizzett was understandably frustrated by the chain of events, describing the situation as "a shambles".

He said: "The flag lady made a mistake and we've had to pay the price, it's a bit of a shambles. It's cost me £500 to get here and now we've lost the near-£6,500 first prize.

"I understand why they had to void the race. If she wants to void a race she has to keep her flag up and blow a whistle, which she didn't do.

"None of the jockeys saw her flag and none of them stopped riding at any stage in the race. The stewards are referring it to London [to the BHA]. It doesn't seem very fair."

All stakes were returned

All stakes were returned to punters, although some firms opted to pay out on the winner at their own cost.

Paddy Power, Ladbrokes and Coral announced they would be paying out on Nautical Haven as well as on each-way bets on the runner-up, 16-1 shot Right Action, and on winning forecasts.

David Williams of Ladbrokes said: "Common sense could surely have prevailed, but instead bookies have been forced to choose between picking up the tab for the shambles or sticking rigidly to the rules and appearing curmudgeonly in a fiercely competitive market.

"We've decided to pick up the tab, and although we accept mistakes can happen the cost is not inconsiderable and it leaves a sour taste."

Coral spokesman Simon Clare added that it "was another rather embarrassing episode for the sport".