Another Winner for Believe'N'Succeed in Unbelievable Circumstances

Mark Smith - Wednesday July 28

The two-year-old Galileo filly Twinkle, a sister to Epsom Derby hero Anthony Van Dyck (IRE) and a half to Group 1 ARC Railway Stakes winner Bounding (Lonhro), broke her maiden at Galway overnight in the strangest of circumstances.

 The daughter of Mark Kavanagh's Group III MRC Blue Diamond Prelude winner Believe'N'Succeed (Exceed And Excel) was second past the post, but the drama was just about to begin.

The Jessica Harrington-trained debutant Alizarine ran out a comfortable winner by one and three-quarter lengths. It turned out that Alizarine was, in fact, her three-year-old stablemate Aurora Princess who was set down to run later in the day.

Twinkle (image Emma O'Brien Photography twitter)

Advertisement

  Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board communications manager Niall Cronin said in a statement: "All horses are checked on arrival. Alizarine is in Galway, she arrived here with the rest of Mrs Harrington's runners, Aurora Princess also being one of them.

"Mrs Harrington didn't saddle the runners for that race herself but subsequently has accepted full responsibility for what has happened.

"In the inquiry itself she expressed the similarity between the two fillies. I think she referred to them as being almost identical, she may have even said that they were like twins.

"When the winner of race two arrived back to be checked again by the IHRB officials, prior to the winner alright being announced, the filly could not be positively identified.

"Further examination by the IHRB veterinary officer confirmed that the filly was indeed Aurora Princess so an objective was lodged by the veterinary officer.

"The stewards inquired into the matter and Mrs Harrington accepted that the wrong filly had run. She held her hands up and accepted full responsibility.

"The stewards, using their power under 262 (iv) c, disqualified Alizarine.

"It's an unfortunate incident. Because of the time restraints on a raceday, the matter has been referred on to allow for a full investigation."

The race Aurora Princess was paid up to run in, a one and a half handicap for three-year-olds, was won by a daughter of Pride Of Dubai.

 

Advertisment
More Reading...
Cup Day Stakes-Winner for So You Think
The Listed VRC TAB Trophy (1800m) for three year-olds on Cup Day at Flemington drew a competitive field of up and comers with So You Think gelding Opening Address stamping himself as a bright prospect for the future with a stylish victory.
Melbourne Cup Pedigree Analysis - Do It Yourself
Breednet has produced a great page with click through to five generation pedigrees for all the Melbourne Cup runners, so for amateur pedigree buffs looking to have a Cup flutter based pedigree here’s your chance  to DIY it!
2024 Melbourne Cup Result - It's Knights Choice
The 2024 Melbourne Cup has been run and won with Knight’s Choice, a five-year-old gelding by Extreme Choice victorious.
All Too Hard's Arran Bay Brave in the Furphy Plate
Phillip Stokes admitted his preference was to run Arran Bay in the Listed John Letts Cup at Morphettville but was overruled by the owners, who made the correct decision in favouring the Listed Furphy Plate (1800m) at Flemington.
Coolmore Set Justify Fee for 2025
Coolmore have announced the US fee for Justify in 2025 with the undefeated Triple Crown winner priced at $US250,000 to head  their roster of 16 stallions at Ashford Stud in Kentucky.
Tycoon Star Makes Winning Debut in G3 Maribyrnong Plate
Tycoon Star looked like the consummate professional when making a winning career debut in the Group III Darley Maribyrnong Plate (1000m) to kickstart Melbourne Cup Day at Flemington.
Storm Boy Headed to Ireland
Coolmore have today announced via Twitter that top class Justify (USA) colt Storm Boy will be continuing his racing career in Ireland in 2025 under the care of Aidan O’Brien.
Kiwi Bred Grey Wins Subzero for OTI at Flemington
New Zealand-bred gelding Cloudland proved a handful for James McDonald at Flemington on Tuesday, but the champion jockey was in a forgiving mood after they had claimed top honours in the Subzero Handicap.
Kiwi Bred Gringotts Wins $3million Big Dance
Talented New Zealand-bred gelding Gringotts(NZ) (Per Incanto) delivered a big payday for his connections with victory in Tuesday’s A$3 million Big Dance (1600m) at Randwick.
Magic Nick Strikes Again – Fastnet Rock x Galileo
The Fastnet Rock x Galileo nick has been on fire in Melbourne this spring producing Cox Plate winner Via Sistina (IRE) and leading Melbourne Cup contender Buckaroo (GB) and it struck again overnight in the UK with a brand new stakes-winner in Military Academy, who captured the Listed Floodlit Stakes (1m4f) at Kempton.