The 2024 Cesarewitch Handicap will always be remembered for ‘first-past-the-post’ Alphonse Le Grande being disqualified for the jockey using the whip too many times. However, for one unlucky punter this Newmarket handicap will also be remebered for losing out on £58,000 due to the amended result taking three days to be confirmed.
Lucky 63 Punter Loses Out On £58,000 After Cesarewitch Handicap Whip Rule Disqualification
A horse racing fan on Saturday 12th October wagered £40 on an each-way Lucky 63 bet with the best horse racing betting sites in the UK – covering six races at the two premier meetings that day – Newmarket and York (see below).
With their first two selections winning- Bolster (SP 7/1) and Strike Red (SP 6/1) – the wager moved onto the Cesarewitch Handicap at 3:40pm at Newmarket, with the Simon and Ed Crisford-trained Manxman the selection.
However, Chris Watson’s (@ChrisWatson86) pick was chinned on the line – beaten just a nose by Alphonse Le Grande.
Alphonse Le Grande‘s Jockey Clearly Broke The Whip Rules
But the drama didn’t end there as the stewards and eagled-eyed punters noticed that the jockey on the winner – Jamie Powell – seemed to use his whip 10 times in getting Alphonse Le Grande over the line in front.
Which is four more than the permitted amount and should a rider hit their horse four more times it results in disqualification.
The 2024 Cesarewitch Handicap was then referred to the BHA’s whip review committee – but the bad news for this Lucky 63 punter – is this review wasn’t going to be until Tuesday 15th October – three days AFTER the race.
This is my bet slip from saturday… if the decision was made Saturday this slip is worth £65k. It’s now worth £7k because of this process.. pic.twitter.com/XMgb0FGkm1
— Chris Watson (@ChrisWatson86) October 15, 2024
Bookmakers Had To Settle Alphonse Le Grande As The Winner
So, in terms of the betting, the bookmakers had to settle the result as Alphonse Le Grande as the winner – despite most horse racing fans knowing the result was most likely going to get amended and MANXMAN being promoted to the new winner.
This is exactly what happened, as on Tuesday 15th October – three days after the Cesarewitch Handicap – the BHA whip review committee found jockey Jamie Powell in breach of the six hit whip rule in British flat races.
While having gone over by four strikes (hitting the horse 10 times), this meant disqualification from the race and Manxman was now the new winner. Plus, Powell also received a 28-day ban – watch the race below.
However, with the Lucky 63 bet settled – the bookies didn’t have to pay out on Manxman on the pictured Lucky 63 bet (or any) – meaning this punter, along with many more, lost out on an extra £58,000.
This was due to his other picks – that ran after the Cesarewitch – on Saturday either winning of finishing second.
With one of them – Two Brothers – going in at a stonking 25/1.
Due to this process taking three days to sort out and many other hard-luck punter stories, the current whip rules process has come under question – with many asking why it takes three days to check and why can’t this be done straight after the race so that the right winner can be paid out in terms of betting.
On a slight plus, this Lucky 63 punter still won around £7k – but it just could have been closer to £65k had the BHA acted on the day to promote Manxman to the winner – Arrggggggh.
Original Cesarewitch Handicap Result
NEW Cesarewitch Handicap Result
Lucky 63 Selection and Results (SP)
- Bolster 1st (7/1)
- Strike Red 1st 6/1
- Two Brothers 1st 25/1
- Rage Of Bamby 1st 10/1
- Manxman 2nd/1st 7/1
- Arrange 2nd 11/2
What Are The Horse Racing Whip Rules In Britain?
In Britain a jockey is only allowed to use their whip in a race SIX times in a flat race and SEVEN times in a jumps race.
If they exceed this then fines and suspensions will follow via the BHA whip review committee.
However, if a jockey exceeds these limits by four hits (flat or jumps), this will result in a longer suspension for the jockey and the horse also being disqualified.