Watch the moment 1-100 horse throws away victory as jockey gets hit with 28-day ban for ‘criminal’ end to race

1 month ago 12

THIS is the ‘criminal’ moment a jockey threw away victory on a 1-100 certainty – before being heckled by punters in the winner’s enclosure.

Poor apprentice jockey Matthew Lloyd Slater, 22, thought he was going to be celebrating his first ever winner courtesy of 7-4 fav Blufferonthebus.

Blufferonthebus was miles clear with a furlong to go of the 7f race[/caption]

The amateur jockey Matthew Lloyd Slater even had a cocky look over his shoulder[/caption]

a horse race is being shown live on racing tv

But he failed to spot Nights Over Egypt flying home on his inside for the unlikeliest of wins[/caption]

The pair surged six lengths clear with a furlong to go of a 7f sprint at Leicester on Monday.

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But Lloyd Slater was guilty of a monumental error as he slowed down thinking the race was sewn up.

He hit 1-100 in running – only for George Wood on 6-1 Nights Over Egypt to absolutely fly home and win in the final strides.

It was an absolutely sickening finish that Lloyd Slater, who was having just his tenth career race, will surely rue for a long time.

He was immediately banned 28 days by stewards and there were ‘unsavoury scenes’ in the winner’s enclosure as the jockey, who was riding for trainer Craig Lidster, walked in front of livid punters.

One who watched the race on TV said: “The ban has to be severe. No excuses whatsoever. It’s criminal that.”

The stewards report read: “Matthew Lloyd Slater, the rider of Blufferonthebus, placed second, beaten by a nose, had failed to ride out approaching the finish.

“Being a 7lb. claimer Lloyd Slater was accompanied by a senior rider.

“After being interviewed and shown recordings of the incident, Lloyd Slater was suspended for 28 days for failing to take all reasonable and permissible measures to obtain the best possible placing on a horse that would have finished first.”

Punters were totally up in arms over the finish.

One said: “There is no legitimate reason not to ride to the finish.”

Another wrote: “Oh mate what are you doing?”

While a third blasted: “Shocking. What a terrible mistake.”

Blufferonthebus, a three-year-old filly owned by a group including popular owner Nick Bradley, has won three times in 21 career races.

Lloyd Slater’s meltdown came hot on the heels of punters also questioning Grand National-winning jockey Derek Fox’s ride on Ahoy Senor at Aintree on Sunday.

ITV Racing host Oli Bell questioned the tactics on the Grade 1 winner, who flew home to finish third having been ridden cold out the back.