The trainer at the centre of the mistaken identity case at Yarmouth is hoping authorities show leniency.
Charlie McBride is expecting to be fined by the British Horseracing Authority after an older stablemate was found to be the winner of a juvenile race at Yarmouth but says it was simply human error.
McBride thought he had saddled 50-1 shot Mandarin Princess to win but it was Millie’s Kiss who was due to run in a later race.
“I have been in racing all of my life so I’d be disappointed if I was banned for one mistake,” McBride said.
“It was a complete accident. There was no collusion and no ulterior motive.
“There is obviously no excuse for not recognising it was the wrong horse. I know them both inside out and have ridden both horses.
“I expect I will get fined, but it was a human error – as simple as that.”
The result was allowed to stand as the weigh-in signal had been announced, although most bookmakers paid out on the first and second horses to cross the line.
“I was waiting for the saddle at 1pm in the weighing room. John (Egan) weighed in 1lb over and was in the sauna, and that was why we were late trying to get the saddle,” McBride said.
“We put the saddle on in two minutes flat without even thinking it was the wrong horse.
“I never even watched the filly go round (the parade ring) and then watched her canter away.
“When she won, everyone was euphoric and were hugging and kissing and chatting away to me. Even then it still didn’t occur to me it was the wrong filly.”
Chief executive Nick Rust confirmed the BHA would conduct a full and thorough inquiry, but said the Yarmouth case appeared to be a “genuine mistake”.
Angry punters and bookmakers demanded to know why the ‘winner’ was not immediately disqualified, with the race declared void.
“”We have to complete our inquiries and examine evidence of videos and interview people again before we disqualify the horse, if all is as it seems,” Rust said.
“We did not want to compound things on the day and we have to draw the line at some point.
“The horse was tested, as is normal, within about half an hour of the race completing.
“Obviously the weighed-in signal had been announced. We want to ensure we learn from this in terms of how quickly we can get an announcement out, and we will.
