Horse Racing

Watch agonising final-jump drama as winning horse is disqualified and runner-up awarded race at Stratford

Published

30th June 2021

THIS is the agonising final-flight drama that led to the winner being disqualified and runner-up awarded the race at Stratford.

Poor Kielan Woods looked to have done enough on 9-4 Calum Gilhooley in the 6.30pm contest over 2m 6f on Tuesday evening.

Calum Gilhooley whose jockey Kielan Woods wears the red and black cap was first past the post but later disqualified for what happened at this hurdle and on the run-in

Leading narrowly going into the home turn, he was holding off the advances off the fast-finishing Ever So Much and One Handsome Dude.

With them accounted for approaching the final hurdle, only 2-1 favourite Chives looked to have enough left in the tank to cause trouble.

But disaster struck just as the leader started to assert himself.

The Graeme McPherson-trained horse’s saddle got dislodged and then carried on slipping off the horse’s back and then down his side.

All horses carry weight in races via their weight cloth.

Calum Gilhooley’s fell to the floor during the run-in, with the commentator shouting: “Something’s come off!”

Initally, Calum Gilhooley’s victory stood as he was first past the post.

But the clerk of the scales objected to the outcome when Woods weighed in 8lbs lighter after the race.

Woods looks to have the race in the bag approaching the line

But it’s clear his saddle has slipped and his weight cloth is about to come loose

TV cameras capture the moment the weight cloth slips to the floor, ultimately resulting in a disqualification for the winning jockey

The stewards’ report read: “The rider, the trainer and the Clerk of the Scales were interviewed. Woods’ explanation that the weight cloth came adrift on the run to the line after the saddle had started to slip from jumping the final hurdle, was accepted.

“CALUM GILHOOLEY (IRE) was disqualified and the placings revised as follows: First, CHIVES, second, EVER SO MUCH (IRE), third, CALVINIST, fourth, CHRISTOPHER ROBIN (IRE).”

Unfortunately for connections of Calum Gilhooley the result meant they were robbed of the £3,156 winner’s cheque.

For Woods the bad news kept coming though, as he was unseated from 6-1 Eva’s Diva in the very next race.

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In this article:Stratford