Sir,

Once again the British and Irish stewards got it right last weekend when Golden Horn kept first place in the Qipco Irish Champion Stakes while Simple Verse was demoted to second in the Ladbrokes St Leger.

At a first glance my interpretation of what happened at Leopardstown was wrong, but then I had a proper look at the Irish and British rules. British and Irish rules are the same concerning disqualification of a horse when he causes interference.

Article 214 (i) of the 2015 Rules of Racing issued by the Irish Turf Club states:

“214. (i) when interference has been caused:

(a) By dangerous riding in any part of a race the horse shall, on an objection under Rule 262 (iv) which under Rule 264 includes a Stewards Enquiry, be disqualified.

(b) By careless or improper riding or by accident in any part of a race the horse shall, on an objection under Rule 262 (iv) which under Rule 264 includes a Stewards Enquiry, be placed behind the horse or horses with which it has interfered if the Stewards are satisfied that the interference improved its placing in relation to the horse or horses with which it interfered. If they are not so satisfied they shall overrule the objection and or order that the placings shall remain unaltered.

With regard to (b) above, when deciding whether they are so satisfied the Stewards shall make no allowance for any ground which the incident may have cost the horse causing the interference”.

Clearly Golden Horn was in front of Free Eagle when he veered badly towards the stand and when he continued to hang to his right.

Concerning the Ladbrokes St Leger the first time that Simple Verse interfered with Bondi Beach, to get out of trouble and of traffic problems, it clearly improved her position.

Article 54.5 Of the British racing rules state:

“54.5 Where:

54.5.1 a horse or its Rider has caused interference by careless or improper riding, and

54.5.2 the Stewards are satisfied that the interference improved the placing of the horse in relation to the horse or horses with which it interfered, the horse shall, on an objection to the Stewards under Part 7, be placed behind the horse or horses with which it has interfered”.

What happened last month in the Beverly D at Arlington Park was once again right as the rule which the Stewards in Chicago have to apply doesn’t state that the horse who interferes with another should improve his placing to be disqualified.

So congratulations to all the stewards in Arlington, Leopardstown and Doncaster. - Yours etc.,

CARLO ZUCCOLI,

Como,

Italy

ITBA thanks

Sir - I wish to put on record my thanks, and those of all ITBA members, to the many industry sponsors who supported last week’s International Thoroughbred Breeders’ Federation Congress. We were delighted with how well the entire event was received by breeders at home and abroad.

It couldn’t have happen-ed without our sponsors, namely Airlie Stud, Ballyhane Stud, Ballylinch Stud, BBA Ireland, Connolly’s Red Mills, Coolmore Stud, Darley Ireland, Derrinstown Stud, Equilume, Forans, Forenaghts Stud, Goffs, Horse Racing Ireland, Irish National Stud, Irish Thoroughbred Capital, Irish Thoroughbred Marketing, Moyglare Stud, Platinum Bloodstock, Rathasker Stud, StableLab, Staffordstown Stud & Lanwades Stud, Tally Ho Stud, Tara Stud, Tattersalls Ireland, Turf Club and Yeomanstown Stud.

Yours etc.,

SHANE O’DWYER

Manager,

Irish Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association

Kill,

Co Kildare

Letters to the Editor should be addressed to The Editor, The Irish Field, Irish Farm Centre, Bluebell, Dublin 12. Name, address and telephone number must be included for verification. Letters are published at the Editor’s discretion and the Editor reserves the right to edit letters within reason.