Aidan O’Brien referred to BHA after Dante win

AIDAN O’BRIEN was referred to the British Horseracing Authority after reportedly refusing to allow raceday officials to examine Cape Blanco following his win in yesterday’s totesport Dante Stakes at York.

Ireland’s leading trainer watched from Ballydoyle as Cape Blanco galloped to second-favouritism for the Investec Derby, after which rumours circulated about his well-being. Television pictures appeared to show the colt being lame and stiff, but representatives from Ballydoyle and Coolmore insisted the horse was fine.

In an attempt to settle the matter, stipendiary steward, Robert Earnshaw, and BHA vet, Lynn Hillyer, both spoke to O’Brien by phone but he was said to have refused for the winner to be examined and declined an invitation for his travelling head lad, Pat Keating, to meet with the stewards.