AN ‘unruly’ horse has been banned from running for 40 days after a performance in which he cost his trainer a ‘ridiculous’ £3,000 fine.
Warren Greatrex slammed the ‘farcical’ punishment after his 250-1 shot – who he admitted was a ‘bad horse’ – was deemed a non-trier.
Gavin Sheehan, who rode rank outsider Beaufort to 13th at Newbury yesterday, was also handed a 14-day ban for what was deemed a ‘schooling’ session.
Greatrex was absolutely livid with stewards for the fine, which he deemed ‘farcical’.
Beaufort finished a whopping 76 lengths behind winner Lecale’s Article in the 2½mf CLass 4 race over hurdles.
The four-year-old horse was described in the Racing Post‘s analysis as being ‘unruly at the post’.
Greatrex admitted his horse ‘behaved badly’ at the start but blasted the decision to dole out punishments.
He said: “I have to say it’s just ridiculous. The horse has got a rating of 87. He’s been very keen in the past and hard work at home.
“Last year he had a couple of runs and he was headstrong. He ran at Newbury last year and finished third and bled after the race.
“We took him to Perth and Kielan Woods rode. He led again that day and Kielan said he needed his wind doing and changing the tactics.
“We ran him at Plumpton recently where I instructed Gavin to do what Kielan had said and he did better as the race went on, but he is what he is.
“I’ve run him to try and improve him as I think the more racing he does the better he’ll get.
“He behaved badly at the start and jumped midfield but he was keen early on in the race and Gavin did the best thing by trying to take a pull to settle him.
“They have said he has not ridden out to the line. Are we meant to beat horses that are out of contention? He is rated 87 and a 250-1 shot.
“He is not running for a mark as he has already got one.
Sheehan, here with Greatrex, was also banned for 14 days
“I’m just trying to get the horse to be better by running him. It’s farcical.”
Greatrex, who won the 2015 World Hurdle at Cheltenham with Cole Harden, said he felt sorry for Sheehan.
He added: “I feel sorry for Gavin as he is going to miss 14 important days of racing. He is a good guy who was riding a bad horse. He has done nothing wrong.”
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