Warwick fined for abandoning meeting

Warwick racecourse executive have been fined £2,500 after the controversial abandonment of the last five races on their September 6 card.

They had to wait until today to find the extent of their punishment after being found guilty by the disciplinary panel of the British Horseracing Authority at a hearing last Wednesday.

The case, which divided opinion among stewards and the weighing room, was brought by the BHA under the rule that covers ensuring a course is fit for racing.

The incident came after two inspections by stewards and jockeys. What should have been a seven-race card was reduced to two owing to concerns about some false ground near the two-and three-furlong markers produced after the home bend was watered that morning.

Written submissions about the appropriate penalty for a breach of Rule 80 (ii) (e) were put in both by the BHA and Warwick.

The BHA said the fine should be at the upper end of the £1,000-£15,000 range, while Warwick felt it was an exceptional case where no fine should be imposed.

Warwick, owned by Jockey Club Racecourses, have seven days to lodge an appeal.

The last racecourse to be found in breach of the rule was Redcar, fined find £3,500 in April 2002, following the abandonment of the meeting the previous May.