PUNTERS were raging over this ‘absolutely shocking’ ride that saw a trainer fined more than £5,000 in farcical scenes.
The jockey and even the horse were also banned as furious bettors hit the roof over the Irish contest.
Ellaat, seen at the back of the field here, and the horse’s jockey have been banned after this massively controversial run
Byrnes, who was fined more than £5,000, admitted his horse’s run was ‘not pleasant viewing’
Charles Byrnes, the trainer at the centre of the storm, admitted the whole debacle was ‘not pleasant viewing’.
Ellaat was sent off 3-1 favourite for a 1m6f handicap at Gowran Park on Wednesday evening.
Apprentice 5lb claimer jockey Gearoid Brouder was in the saddle on the seven-year-old gelding, who was making his second start under Byrnes.
The horse finished fourth after being brought right over to the other side of the track from the outside stall 17.
But that only told half the story.
Ellaat made a move into midfield but approaching the final furlong appeared to be asked to give next to nothing.
Stewards were quick to pick up on the ride and hurled Byrnes and Brouder in for questioning.
Bosses ruled both were in breach of Rule 212A(i), in that ‘both were involved in the running and/or riding of a horse in a race, who deliberately or recklessly causes or permitted a horse to run other than on its merits’.
Brouder was banned for 21 days and forced to give up his riding fee – while Ellaat has been barred from running for 90 days.
An investigation into betting patterns regarding the horse could now be launched.
The official IHRB report read: “Evidence was heard from the rider and trainer concerned.