Horse who’s cost punters £17million banned from racing as fed up trainer says ‘it’s not worth it’

9 months ago 71

A STUBBORN horse who has cost punters £17million has been banned from racing and could be forced to retire if he doesn’t get his act together.

Five-year-old gelding Global Harmony has been barred from running for four months after stalling in the stalls on his past two runs.

Global Harmony first refused to run when backed into 4-1 for a turf race in Hong Kong back in January.

Punters were happy to forgive him that error though – which was similar to Shishkin’s refusal at Ascot – and smashed him into almost even-money favourite for his next race earlier this month.

However, Global Harmony again refused to jump once the gates opened in the 7f contest at Sha Tin.

Both times he was declared a starter, meaning punters got absolutely no run for their money.

Stewards decided that second instance was the final straw and have now banned the horse from running again – with the further threat of ‘compulsory retirement’.

Global Harmony cannot race until proving he is happy to leave the stalls.

A statement from stewards read: “Global Harmony must compete in a minimum of five consecutive barrier trials in Hong Kong to the satisfaction of the stewards.

“At least two of those trials are to be conducted from the 1,600m (8f) starting point.

“The same gear must be worn by the horse on raceday as used in all five barrier trials.”

And even before the trials the horse must compete in two jump outs to prove he can exit the gates on time.

Jockey Club chief steward Marc van Gestel said in a statement: “Should Global Harmony refuse to jump or be very slow to jump in any of the barrier trials, the stewards will make a recommendation that the horse should be compulsorily retired from racing in Hong Kong.”

The horse’s trainer David Hayes previously said it’s not worth running the horse while he remains so unpredictable in the stalls.

And he said he feels sorry for punters doing their dough on a horse who doesn’t even give them a run for their money.

Hayes said: “For the punter, it’s too risky.

“The Jockey Club told me it was HK$170 million (£17m) in two races down the drain.

“I don’t want to see the punters do their money. We can’t guarantee he’ll jump in Hong Kong, so it’s not worth the problems.”