Cheltenham racecourse fined £5,000
A £5,000 fine has been handed to Cheltenham racecourse after a post was left on the track during a race.
The British Horseracing Authority’s (BHA) disciplinary panel held an enquiry yesterday (Thursday, 21 April) about the incident that happened ahead of the fifth race, the mares’ hurdle, on Champion Day (15 March) of the Festival (not pictured).
The panel found that Jockey Club Racecourses, in its capacity as the managing executive of Cheltenham racecourses, had breached rule (F)15.3.4 by failing to carry out their responsibility to ensure that the course and fences were maintained in good condition.
The “spigot” — an upright post over which the legs of the running rails fit — had been left in the crossing after the second-last flight of hurdles, approximately one metre from the inside of the running rails.
The Panel heard submissions from Lyn Williams, on behalf of the BHA and considered written submissions on behalf of the executive.
It also viewed recordings, seen by the Cheltenham stewards on the day, as well as the Channel 4 footage.
On viewing a video of the race, the panel was concerned that horses had to take evasive action to avoid it.
Never miss out on the latest happenings in the equestrian world
“The panel noted that Simon Claisse, clerk of the course, reported at the stewards’ enquiry on the day that the rail that goes across the crossing had been taken out for the sand to be sprayed with a green dye and that the spigot must have been inadvertently left by a member of the ground staff,” read a statement from the hearing.
Popular articles:
- Annie Power triumphs in the Cheltenham Champion Hurdle
- Sprinter Sacre regains Champion Chase crown in emotional Cheltenham win
- Olympic cyclist Victoria Pendleton fifth in Cheltenham Foxhunter
“Mr Claisse had later conducted a thorough investigation and spoken to each member of the ground staff, none of whom considered that they had left the spigot.
“In light of this, the BHA accepted that there was no explanation as to how the spigot was left on the track.”
It was also noted that the Cheltenham executive had put procedures in place to make sure this does not happen again.
“Having considered the evidence the panel accepted an admission that it was in breach of rule (F)15.3.4 and fined the executive £5,000,” read the statement.
Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now
Lucy is an experienced news journalist, reporter and presenter. Since joining the Horse & Hound team in 2015, Lucy has reported from major global sporting events including the Tokyo Paralympic Games and multiple European Championships, as well as Badminton, Burghley and London, to name a few. She has covered current affairs and sports news across the full spectrum of equestrian disciplines and racing, as well as human and equine welfare, industry news and court cases.