Surprise 14-1 winner Twin Star disqualified at Taunton after jockey Alexander Thorne forgets to weigh in

ALEXANDER Thorne will have wanted the ground to swallow him up after he forgot to weigh-in after riding a winner at Taunton.

The young jockey steered 14-1 shot Twin Star to victory in the Invest Southwest Handicap Hurdle, which was live on ITV4.

But he forgot to weigh back in after the two-mile contest and the Noel Williams-trained runner was disqualified.

The dramatic turn of events meant that the Nigel Twiston-Davies-trained Robinshill (8-1) was promoted from second place.

Betfair and Paddy Power were among a host of bookies who announced they would pay punters out on both horses despite the amended result.

ITV Racing’s Luke Harvey said: “In the heat of the moment, I don’t know what is going through his mind, he’s gone straight back in (to the changing rooms).”

Before a race each jockey must weigh-out to ensure they are carrying the correct weight, and before a result is made official they must weigh-in afterwards to ensure they are still carrying the right weight.

Jockeys must go straight to the scales before returning to their changing room, but Thorne mistakenly went into the changing rooms after his interview on ITV4 without having his weight taken.

The moment jockeys cross the line and enter the changing rooms, they’re disqualified. The on course stewards’ held an inquiry and confirmed the change of the result, and slapped Thorne with a 21-day suspension.

The stewards’ report read: “The Clerk of the Scales objected to the winner, Twin Star, ridden by Alexander Thorne, on the grounds of the rider failing to weigh in.

“Twin Star was disqualified, and the placings revised. After being interviewed, the rider was suspended for 21 days and was not entitled to a riding fee.”

Did you miss our previous article…
https://www.sportingexcitement.com/horse-racing/pals-with-cristiano-ronaldo-and-khabib-sky-diving-and-heir-to-3bn-fortune-meet-godolphins-dubai-crown-prince-fazza