Horse racing investigation sparked after German horse declaration in £4.5m race

29 September 2023 , 18:42

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Sisfahan: the German Arc challenger was wrongly announced a non runner (Image: RACINGFOTOS.COM)

France Galop launched an investigation on Friday after one of the runners for the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe was mysteriously declared a non-runner.

Sisfahan, trained by Henk Grewe, was one of three German-trained horse due to represent the nation in the £4.5million contest. But, according to France Galop, a notice was received on Friday afternoon that the 100-1 chance would be a “non runner”.

Another Grewe horse at Paris-Longchamp, the German Oaks winner Muskoka, was also declared a “non runner” in the Prix de l’Opera on the same correspondence. The information was posted on the France Galop website and the two horses were removed from some betting markets.

A surprised Grewe contacted the French regulator and the two horses were reinstated once he had confirmed he was not responsible for withdrawing them. Grewe, who also saddles Mr Hollywood in the Arc, told Galopponline: “I suddenly got a text message saying that the two of them should be out, that was a real shock.

“France Galop was very cooperative and was able to determine that the supposed cancellation did not come from me or our secretary, we are back in both races.”

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France Galop said the “non runner” message had been received at 2.35pm.

A statement said: “A few minutes later, Henk Grewe, their trainer, contacted France Galop to inform them that he had discovered, thanks to the control SMS, which is sent automatically, that his two horses had been declared non runners, even though he had not taken any action to this effect.

“This was confirmed in writing by the trainer and Sisfahan and Muskoka were both reinstated as starters in their respective races.

“Investigations are currently underway to determine what caused this situation.”

Jon Lees