PUNTERS have been dealt an almighty blow after it came to light that the British Horseracing Authority had given a star Willie Mullins horse the wrong weight.
Weight mix-up causes outrage
There were calls for all bets on Saturday's race to be voided after it was discovered that a mistake had been made regarding the weight of Willie Mullins' horse, Lossiemouth. The horse was originally listed as carrying 11st 3lbs, but it turns out she was meant to carry only 11st.
Punters misled by incorrect information
The incorrect weight provided by the British Horseracing Authority has caused punters to back Lossiemouth based on false information. This has not only affected bets on Lossiemouth, but has also influenced ante-post markets where punters may have used her weight as a reason to back another horse.
BHA apologizes for the error
The British Horseracing Authority issued an apology, stating that an incorrect penalty had been applied to Lossiemouth. They have since published a weight amendment, confirming that Lossiemouth will now carry 11st. The BHA expressed their apologies to anyone affected by the error.
Outrage and calls for action
Respected punter and Betfair contributor Tony Calvin highlighted the mistake and suggested that all bets on the race should be voided and new markets should be opened with the correct weights. Another punter proposed that individuals should be given the option to void their bets if they wished, as the weight Lossiemouth was initially due to carry may have influenced their decision to back another horse.
Impact on betting odds
According to Tony Calvin, Lossiemouth was originally priced at 10-11 favorite before the weight error was rectified. However, once it became clear that Lossiemouth would only carry 11st, her odds dropped to 8-11. This placed her 1lb lighter than her nearest market rival, Love Envoi, and a significant 10lbs lighter than top-weight Rubaud.
Action being taken
The head of racing and betting at the BHA, Tom Byrne, acknowledged the error and stated that an investigation is ongoing. He assured that the weight has now been updated, and Lossiemouth will carry the correct weight of 11-0 at Cheltenham Races.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the handicap system in UK horseracing and how does it work?
In UK racing, the handicapping system was designed to give each horse an equal shot at winning. In essence, horses are given different weights during the race depending on their past performance. Better horses carry heavier loads to even the playing field for horses with less impressive past performances. The British Horseracing Authority is responsible for the handicapping process in the UK, and their team of handicappers regularly updates ratings following the results of races.
What types of horse racing are there in the UK and what is their history?
There are several types of horse race in the UK. These include Flat racing, National Hunt racing (or jump racing), and other races. Flat racing does not include obstacles and is run on flat tracks from 5 feet to more than 2 miles. National Hunt racing is a form of horse racing that emphasizes the speed of the horses and their ability to jump. Races such as steeplechases or hurdles are characterized by a variety of obstacles. There are many variations of these two broad categories. For example, handicaps, maidens and conditions races. Each with its own rules and criteria.
What is meant by the jockeys silks and why?
The jockeys silks is the colorful, patterned outfit worn during racing. Each set of silks is unique and registered with the horse’s owners, making it easy for spectators and officials alike to identify horses during a race. The design of the silks often holds sentimental value or tradition for the owners and can include a variety of colors, patterns, and emblems.
What is meant by the term “photo finish” in horse racing
The ‘photo finish,’ is when two or multiple horses cross the finishing line so closely together that the winner cannot be determined with the naked eye. In these cases, race officials use finish-line cameras that take images at high speed to determine the exact moment each horse’s nose crosses the line. The photo finish image helps officials to determine the official order of finish accurately.
How is the safety of horses and riders maintained during a race?
The safety of riders and horses is a priority in UK racing. Stringent regulations are in place to ensure that racecourses meet high safety standards, including the condition of the tracks and the quality of the jumps. Horses must be examined before and immediately after races. The jockeys wear protective equipment like body protectors or helmets. The sport also employs veterinarians and rapid response teams to handle any incident quickly and competently.
How do racehorses get bred for racing and how are they selected?
Most racehorses have been bred specifically to excel at the racetrack. Breeders carefully select sires from proven racing lines to ensure that their offspring have the best characteristics in terms of speed, endurance, temperament, and so on. Thoroughbreds, which are the most common breeds associated with racing in Britain, are closely tracked. Prospective racehorses often go through a selection process that includes pedigree analysis, physical conformation assessments, and performance in training before they begin their racing careers.
Statistics
- Around 14,000 thoroughbred foals are born each year in the UK with the goal of becoming top racehorses.
- The prize money for the Epsom Derby stands at approximately £1.5 million, with the winner taking home a substantial portion of this sum.
- Approximately 6 million people attend horse racing events in the UK each year, making it the second most popular spectator sport in the country.
- The annual Cheltenham Festival has an economic impact of over £100 million for the local Gloucestershire economy.
- There are over 8,000 active racehorse owners in the UK, ranging from royals to common citizens.
- The National Hunt racing season in the UK sees approximately 1,000 races with hurdles or fences each year.
External Links
racingpost.com
timeform.com
thejockeyclub.co.uk
britishhorseracingmuseum.org.uk
racingtv.com
betfair.com
How To
How to access live horse racing coverage in the UK
Subscribe to Sky Sports Racing (or Racing TV) for live race coverage and expert analysis. Many online betting sites also offer live streaming services to their account holders, sometimes requiring a minimum bet to access the stream. In addition, many major races and festivals can be seen on free-to air television. Channels such as ITV cover select events in the racing calendar. You can watch live racing on mobile by downloading the apps of betting sites or dedicated channels.
