Why the ban for winning a classic?

After an exceptional weekend of top-class action across the globe, racing was once again filling the headlines for the wrong reasons.

First it was the thrilling finish to the 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket last Saturday between Johnny Murtagh and Kevin Manning that attracted controversy. Then, less than 12 hours later, over in Louisville, it was the untimely death of the filly Eight Belles in the Kentucky Derby which was subject to negative, and extremely unfair, reporting.

Let’s start with what I thought was a magnificent example of what racing is all about – Henrythenavigator’s scintillating victory in the initial Classic of the season.

Why, oh why, should the two horsemen (Murtagh and Manning) who provided racegoers with such a fantastic spectacle be penalised for doing their best?

I appreciate there have to be whip guidelines, but what honestly do the racecourse stewards expect the jockeys to do in such races where a bob of a head is likely to decide the outcome of the race?

Would the stewards have been happier if Kevin Manning, aboard the favourite New Approach, had stopped using his whip after using up all the allocated "hits" and allowed the eventual winner to collect the race with ease and potentially lose second place?

Similarly, would Murtagh have won the race if he had been less forceful on his horse? I would love to hear the reasons why both jockeys received two- and five-day bans respectively when seemingly doing their utmost to win the race.

After all, had they not, no doubt they would be facing inquiries under the non-triers rule! In a driving finish, especially in races of this calibre, jockeys cannot be expected to count the amount of times they make contact with the thoroughbred. It just simply isn’t possible, or realistic.

It’s about time the powers that be had a serious look at who is responsible for so many riders obtaining such ridiculous suspensions for such trivial matters and got rid of them for good. They are not helping to promote the sport they would undoubtedly, if asked, say they love.

Sad end

It was also a shame to read all the press coverage of the euthanisation of the filly Eight Belles after the Kentucky Derby last week. Yes, it was a terrible tragedy, and something that we witness more often than we’d like, but to be blaming connections for running a female against the colts is absolutely pathetic, and anyone who criticises the surface is really talking rubbish.

The track was in a perfectly raceable condition and there was nothing anybody could have done to prevent such a tragic event unfolding.

The post-race reports were extremely unfair and the comments from several animal rights activists, many of which are on youTube, come from individuals who have probably never even been to racing in their life, but protest outside the gates wrapped up in a nice fur coat.