11 August 2023 , 14:53
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British horse racing was labelled a “laughing stock” after the meeting at Brighton got off to a farcical start on Friday.
The first race had to take place without stalls after the stalls handlers failed to arrive in time because they were stuck in traffic.
And there was so much fog swirling around the seaside track, it was nearly impossible to see the race.
The stewards subsequently announced a delay to racing to allow time for the stalls handlers’ minibus to reach the course and the fog to lift.
The stalls handlers got to Brighton but there was no change in the weather and after participants and racegoers hung around for another two hours the meeting was called off without another race taking place.
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Without the stalls for the 5½f opener it proved impossible to corral all the horses into a straight line.
When they were sent off to what commentator John Blanche described as “a raggedy old start”, three of the field were left behind, finishing virtually tailed off, and another was withdrawn
“Laughing stock? Where else in the world,” said one commentator on social media.
Another posted: “Not even Phil Mickelson would’ve had a bet in that race.”
Chief steward Richard Westropp told Sky Sports Racing: “The main issue we’ve had is the stalls handlers were stuck on the M25 round about the Sandown turn.
“So for the first race we had to deal with a flip start. Obviously five furlongs not satisfactory for sprinters.
“We are going to give the lads for the next every opportunity to have stalls at least so proper loading procedures, bearing in mind they are two-year-olds.
“Hopefully the mist will lift and we can get those stalls set up. All the necessary headgear, the battery units and everything are all in the van that’s been delayed getting here.”
He added: “It’s not uncommon for a horse to get a bad start with the flip start because they are plainly not used to it.”