Simple Verse has been reinstated as the winner of the St Leger at Doncaster following a successful appeal.
Ralph Beckett’s filly had been demoted from first place by the stewards on the day of the race on September 12 after being found to have caused interference to Bondi Beach, who was promoted to the winner.
Andrea Atzeni‘s mount had barged into Bondi Beach when making room to challenge two furlongs out and there was another bump around half a furlong from the finishing line.
For the second incident, Bondi Beach appeared to lean into Simple Verse and the filly responded with a more violent lurch into her rival as she eventually prevailed by a head.
The local stewards’ decision had left Atzeni in tears but, following an appeal hearing, a British Horseracing Authority disciplinary panel gave the race back to Simple Verse.
Beckett, who had taken the decision with owners Qatar Racing to supplement Simple Verse for the St Leger, felt there was always a strong case for the original ruling to be overturned.
“For me, under our rules, we always had an excellent case, given what has been going on on our racecourses for the last five years in similar instances,” said Beckett.
“It’s not quite the same, and it’s never going to be quite the same, in the sense of when you have it taken away on the day.
“It was horrendous at the time and it’s been a pretty miserable 11 days for those who live and work with me. It’s not been much fun.”
