Chelmsford drama: Horses forced to stop midrace after blunder
Jockey Ryan Moore riding Auguste Rodin (left) beats jockey Kevin Stott on King Of Steel in the Derby on the second day of the Epsom Derby Festival horse racing event in Surrey, southern England on June 3, 2023.
The final contest at Chelmsford on Saturday evening was a movie scene of high drama - a stalls incident resulted in nullification. The nine-runner 1m2f Handicap, started without issue, but it became apparent there was a problem when officials attempted to flag the jockeys down rounding for home.
The pack were negotiating at around 36mph but had to abruptly pull up to avoid stalls, which were left stranded on the track. How unimaginable is that?
Jane Chapple-Hyam, who trained Salamanca (Jonny Peate 11-4), said: "When they load horses up in stalls, they turn the tractor off. The tractor wouldn't go into gear, so they couldn't remove it in time to even send flagmen to alert of dangerous forthcoming attractions. Really scary."
Salamanca was leading the pack with Jonny, who relied on warnings from fellow jockeys to pull up as soon as possible. All competitors were unharmed, but it is not easy trying to stop a thoroughbred at full speed!
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Troopers with the Louisiana State Police Gaming Enforcement Division, conducted an investigation following reports of racing misconduct, involving jockey Martin Osuna. The incident occurred at the Evangeline Downs track/Casino, in Opelousas.
Preliminary investigations revealed that Martin falsified information on a document, prompting the issuance of an arrest warrant. He was scheduled to participate at Evangeline Downs but was detained upon arrival at the track. During a thorough search conducted following his arrest, Troopers discovered five horse shocking devices that were in Martin's possession. He was arrested and transported to the Saint Landry Parish Jail, booked on filing false public documents, falsifying information, injuring public records, and five counts of violating LA R.S. 4:175, regarding the unnatural stimulation of horses (a practice that is considered unethical and harmful).
The Louisiana State Police stated that it remains committed to upholding the highest standards in the gaming industry. The integrity of horse racing is a cornerstone of sincere work - vital to the trust and safety of human and equine entities.
Martin had been suspended previously by stewards at Turf Paradise in Arizona for carrying an illegal device – commonly referred to as a buzzer, battery, or machine – during a Quarter Horse stakes race in December 2016. In that instance, stewards were tipped off by the track photographer, who noticed something in Osuna's left hand while reviewing a photo finish.
He noticed something fishy and subsequently notified the Turf Paradise management. Turf Paradise then notified the stewards, who immediately summarily suspended Martin, ordering more intense research. He served ten months of a possible five-year sentence in 2016.
