THERE was chaos in the Epsom Derby betting as winning punters LOST money – in what was labelled an ‘extraordinary’ post-race decision.
It came after favourite Benvenuto Cellini was a deemed a non-runner after the £2million contest – the most prestigious in the world – had finished.
The Aidan O’Brien-trained three-year-old colt was put into the stalls with legendary jockey Ryan Moore on his back.
But video footage showed Benvenuto Cellini get a leg stuck on the running board near the rear gates.
It meant he only had three legs on the ground when the stalls opened – thus being denied a fair start.
Benvenuto Cellini, who was sent off 3-1, never really got going as stablemate Christmas Day landed one of the biggest Derby gambles in years.
With the favourite being a non-runner the hated Rule 4 was applied, meaning punters lost 25p in every £1 they won.
The decision – which came after Benvenuto Cellini ‘finished’ the race in tenth – was labelled ‘extraordinary’ by Racing TV presenter Alex Steedman.
A BHA statement explaining what happened read: “Having reviewed the start of Race 5 @EpsomRacecourse, the Stewards considered that BENVENUTO CELLINI (IRE) was denied a fair start which materially affected its chances and ordered that the colt be declared a non-runner.”
And the official report added: “An enquiry was held into the start of this race and the participation of BENVENUTO CELLINI (IRE), drawn 12, ridden by Ryan Moore.
“The rider and the Starter were interviewed and shown recordings of the start.
“The Stewards considered that the colt was prevented from starting on equal terms due to its left-hind leg being caught on the running boards shortly before and as the start was effected, materially affecting its chances as the rider was instructed to go forward and race handily which consequently he was unable to do.
“The Stewards therefore ordered that BENVENUTO CELLINI (IRE) be declared a non-runner.”
However, Ladbrokes, Coral and Boyle Sports waived the rule in a major win for punters.
Coral’s James Knight wrote on X: “Bottom line – the horse categorically was not ‘denied’ a fair start.
“He compromised his start by playing up in the stalls which you will see happen multiple times a day without this rule being invoked. Mad, mad stuff.”
Brian O’Keeffe of Boyle Sports said: “There will be no rule 4 for BOYLE Sports customers.
“All customers will be paid in full despite Derby favourite Benvenuto Cellini being declared a non runner.
“All customers who backed Benvenuto Cellini will be refunded.”
While Coral’s David Stevens said: “Christmas Day was an apt winner of a Derby that was run in wintery conditions, conditions that very much suited Ronan Whelan’s mount, with punters backing him at all rates from 16-1 down to 7-1, so it was not an unpopular victory by any means.
“Benvenuto Cellini was sent off favourite, or at least he would have been had he not been deemed a non-runner, but as a goodwill gesture to our customers, we are waiving the Rule 4 deduction on him, so that winning punters do not lose out on the biggest betting race of the Flat season.”
And on-course bookie Jerry White added: “You couldn’t make it up – something always goes wrong.
“The Derby favourite is a non-runner so if you backed him you get your money back.
“But if you backed the winner you get a 25p Rule 4 – ie deduction in winnings.”
Not everyone was happy though.
Group 1-winning trainer Richard Hughes said: “What a terrible decision on making the favourite of the Derby a non-runner.
“If he won by five lengths would they make him a non-runner?
“Who is running our sport making these simple decisions?”
Explaining in detail how they came to their decision, BHA steward Shaun Parker said: “The favourite had his left hind leg on the running board.
“As the start was affected he could not jump on terms with the field.
“As he was only standing on three legs he had been denied a fair start.
“Ryan said he wanted to be forward with the horse and we noted he was very slow to start.
“His race had been negatively affected and in terms of the rules he can be declared a non-runner.”
