Weight Issue Sees Hierarchy Disqualified at Lingfield

Following the conclusion of any given horse race, backers of the winner await the “weighed in, weighed in” announcement, signalling their moment to collect from the bookmakers.

This call over the racecourse PA system confirms that the horse has completed the race with the correct weight on its back and is usually a mere formality. Usually, but not always, as displayed in the aftermath of the Free Bets With BetUK Bet Club Handicap at Lingfield on Wednesday.

A Little Too Easy for Osborne Sprinter

At 9lbs below his career-high winning rating, successful three times over the 6f trip, and an eye-catching fourth on his only previous visit to Lingfield, the Jamie Osborne-trained Hierarchy appeared to have plenty in his favour ahead of the fateful race.

Hierarchy’s Career Record

Runs Wins 2nd 3rd Earnings
34 3 4 4 £86k

Despite those positives, it was slightly surprising that the mount of William Carver won quite as easily as he did. Quickly overcoming a bump at the start, Hierarchy soon caught the eye, travelling notably well on the heels of the leaders. There he remained as the field turned into the home straight. When switched into the clear, the Mehmas gelding quickened up in style to score by a widening 1½l. Initially appearing to represent the end of a 15-race losing streak, the celebrations of those associated with the horse were soon cut short.

Bird Blunder

When weighing in, the Lingfield stewards discovered that Hierarchy had carried 4.5lb less than the allocated 9st9lb. Whether or not he would have won with the required burden on his back is immaterial as far as the rules are concerned; any horse weighing in below the allocated weight will be disqualified, no ifs, no buts. As such, Hierarchy receives a DSQ rather than a 1 in his form line, and the losing sequence continues.

The question was, what had happened to the additional 4.5lb? The answer lay in the stabling area. Having become tricky in the preliminaries, Hierarchy was saddled by Assistant Trainer Marcus Bird in the on-course stables. Whilst preparing the horse, Bird placed the 4.5lb weight cloth in the corner. Unfortunately, for Bird, Osborne, Carver, and many punters, there the weight cloth remained as Hierarchy launched his bid for glory in the home straight.

An Expensive Error

Given the strict rules and unavoidable weighing-in system, there is no doubt that this was merely an oversight. It was, nevertheless, an expensive blunder, seeing the horse forfeit his £3,716.14 in prize money and a £1,500 fine sent hurtling in the direction of Jamie Osborne.

Whilst frustrating for Osborne, the trainer at least found some solace in the fact that he didn’t have to bear the wrath of any owners:

“My assistant Marcus Bird left the lead bag off, and there wasn’t much in it either, so he still would have won. On the positive side, he has learned a lesson, and I own the horse, so I don’t have an owner to answer to.”

Favourite Backers Rejoice

One man’s loss is another’s gain, and this result saw supporters of the favourite rushing to retrieve their discarded betting slips. With Hierarchy thrown out, the race was awarded to the second-placed finisher – the Roger Teal-trained market leader, Whenthedealisdone.

2:55 Lingfield Result – 22nd Jan 2025

Pos. Horse (SP) Trainer Jockey
DSQ Hierarchy (15/2) Jamie Osborne William Carver
1st Whenthedealinsdone (5/2F) Roger Teal Elisha Whittington
2nd Tyger Bay (7/2) Conrad Allen Connor Planas
3rd Harb (5/1) Peter Crate Shane Kelly