Confusion reigned at Newmarket on Friday after Aidan O’Brien’s Snowfall was named as the third-placed finisher in the bet365 Fillies’ Mile, when it was in fact her stable companion Mother Earth.
A field of 10 runners went to post for the Group One feature on the Rowley Mile, with victory going to 5/2 favourite Pretty Gorgeous, trained by Aidan’s son, Joseph O’Brien, by half a length from the John Gosden-trained Indigo Girl.
It was thought 50/1 shot Snowfall had finished a further half-length away in third in the hands of James Doyle, with Mother Earth eighth of the 10 runners under William Buick.
However, it subsequently became evident the horse that had passed the post in third was in fact 18/1 chance Mother Earth, the darker of the two fillies, with the lighter Snowfall back in the field.
While Doyle was correctly sporting the pink cap and the number nine saddle cloth assigned to Snowfall, he was in fact riding Mother Earth.
O’Brien admitted his on-course staff had mixed up the two fillies.
He said from his Ballydoyle base: “I didn’t see the race, I just listened to it. Someone brought it to my attention then afterwards – that someone had tweeted that they were the wrong fillies.
“I went straight away to look at the race and the minute I saw them coming out of the stalls I knew that they were the wrong fillies.
“Obviously I rang the BHA (British Horseracing Authority) straight away and said it to them.
“What happened was that our lads put the wrong saddles on the wrong fillies.”
The BHA will hold an enquiry before racing at Newmarket on Saturday.
A BHA spokesperson said: “The stewards have been made aware of a potential issue regarding the Group One Fillies’ Mile at Newmarket today which have resulted in the incorrect rider and number cloths being carried by the two horses trained by Aidan O’Brien.
“A stewards enquiry will be held on the racecourse tomorrow to consider all of the relevant evidence and determine the course of events and what action needs to be taken.”
The error was spotted by twitter user Paddy McGhee who tweeted his observation:
Mother Earth will now likely face disqualification and O'Brien a large fine.
Sky Bet are paying out on both O'Brien horses each-way as a gesture of goodwill.
Spokesman Michael Shinners said: "It's an unfortunate situation and one that doesn't happen very often thankfully such are the ramifications from a betting point of view.
"To make things easier for our customers we are paying out on both Mother Earth and Snowfall as if they were placed, so if you backed either filly each-way with us you'll get your place return."
Betfair Sportsbook did the same with Barry Orr commenting: "Following confirmation from Aidan O’Brien that the wrong number cloths and jockeys were aboard Mother Earth and Snowfall in the Fillies' Mile at Newmarket today, the Betfair Sportsbook has, in the interest of our customers, settled the race as Snowfall, Mother Earth and Dubai Fountain finishing 3rd (individually)."
