At a race meeting in Killarney, Ireland, confusion reigned as the third race’s $4.5 favourite and initial ‘winner’, Ano Manna—trained by John Feane and ridden by Leigh Roche—was subsequently identified as Indigo Five, a horse slated to run later in the day.
The mistaken identity and human error led to a stewards’ inquiry and the disqualification of Ano Manna, with the victory then going to second-placed Bang Po.
Feane, expressing regret over the saddling mistake, dubbed it “an unfortunate series of events.”
“It’s human error, and these things happen,” he remarked, acknowledging the financial strain placed on all parties involved.
He received a £3,000 fine, and the inquiry is ongoing.
Moreover, bookies were in a quandary, having prematurely paid out on Ano Manna.
“Ano Manna never ran so it is declared a non-runner and from a betting point of view, is declared a non-runner.” Steward Liam Walsh announced.
Investigations persist to unravel the incident’s full dimensions.
