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Apologies if I've missed the thread on this, but just seen that they held a R & R enq regarding the second, who I think it's fair to say, wasn't hard ridden once the stablemate headed him.
The Raceday Stewards enquired into the running and riding, with particular emphasis on the final fifty yards, of Florida Bay (placed second), ridden by R.P. Whelan, and trained by A.P.O'Brien. Evidence was heard from the rider and the Authorised Representative for the trainer concerned. R.P. Whelan stated that his instructions were to go forward and be handy. He further added that he had gone hard and his mount made an abnormal respiratory noise close to the line. Chris Armstrong, Authorised Representative for the trainer concerned, confirmed the instructions given and added that the trainer had expressed his satisfaction with the ride. The Raceday Stewards also received a report from the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer who stated that Florida Bay was post race normal. Samples were taken for further analysis. Having viewed the recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Raceday Stewards noted the explanations given and took no further action in relation to Rule 212. They were however satisfied that R. P. Whelan was in breach of Rule 213, in that he had failed to report anything which might have affected the running of his mount in a race and having considered his record in this regard (first offence) the Raceday Stewards suspended R. P. Whelan for one raceday.
The Raceday Stewards enquired into the running and riding, with particular emphasis on the final fifty yards, of Florida Bay (placed second), ridden by R.P. Whelan, and trained by A.P.O'Brien. Evidence was heard from the rider and the Authorised Representative for the trainer concerned. R.P. Whelan stated that his instructions were to go forward and be handy. He further added that he had gone hard and his mount made an abnormal respiratory noise close to the line. Chris Armstrong, Authorised Representative for the trainer concerned, confirmed the instructions given and added that the trainer had expressed his satisfaction with the ride. The Raceday Stewards also received a report from the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer who stated that Florida Bay was post race normal. Samples were taken for further analysis. Having viewed the recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Raceday Stewards noted the explanations given and took no further action in relation to Rule 212. They were however satisfied that R. P. Whelan was in breach of Rule 213, in that he had failed to report anything which might have affected the running of his mount in a race and having considered his record in this regard (first offence) the Raceday Stewards suspended R. P. Whelan for one raceday.
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Read a lot on social media about this. The winner was gone by and was winning even if the second had continued to ride hard. There's plenty to question in some of these races but anyone who thinks the second 'let' the winner win is a headcase imop. Whether Whelan heard a noise or not is his opinion but what's the difference in what he did than what the likes of Buick does every day once been headed? And without any questions from the stewards either.
see same ev day..leader being headed close to line..what a waste of time.
I didn't look into the race at all beforehand, but had rtv on in the background and heard the caller getting excited, so looked up to see the finish. Said to myself that the runner up didn't seem to make too much effort once the winner came upsides. Absolutely true, and the winner wasn't wearing the usual colours for that firm so I didn't know who the connections of the winner were when I first viewed it.
But as I say, anyone backing the implied second string knows what they are doing. And if the jockeys were the other way around, the price would be a lot shorter. Up to you if you want to take the chance, but don't moan about it afterwards.
But as I say, anyone backing the implied second string knows what they are doing. And if the jockeys were the other way around, the price would be a lot shorter. Up to you if you want to take the chance, but don't moan about it afterwards.
The second horse was well packed so its not as if it wasn't fancied, and wasn't exactly an outsider. As I say plenty to investigate in other races but it seems the same people just scream conspiracy at any race O'Brien is involved in out of pure hatred for him.
I'm not sure Ballydoyle or Coolmore will welcome any of their horses being announced as having wind problems. Not good for the stallion fees!
Wnr 2/1 with the 2ND 9/4 from 9/2 in the morning it seems,nicely backed as stated above.
Got beat on merit to me.
Got beat on merit to me.
It's absolutely not a conspiracy that the way the operation is run, they use the racetrack as an extension of their training grounds. And they will have a meticulous plan of how the race will be run, a chosen one so to speak. They run group 1 horses as domestiques, and enter runners in group 1 races as stepping stones to more important races. If it's not a big meeting, listed or group 2/3 races are not that important to them.
Even after Alpha's defeat, he was basically making out he was thrilled with the run and claiming basically it was a prep. He said they will ask her to go quicker next time, ie when they really want to win the race. That was on rtv to Gary.
The market isn't too relevant unless you know who was backing who. The point in that respect is some people back the perceived 2nd or 3rd string, invariably if Moore was riding in the race, Moore would be perceived to be the first string and that shapes the early market. So you're getting a bigger price due to it perceived not to be the first string, imv don't moan when it is ridden like that.
Regarding the actual running of the race, as I've mentioned on other threads, if you watch 1000s of races you usually pick up on something out of the ordinary pretty quickly. My first thought was, that jockey accepted it pretty readily, more readily than seemed appropriate. Think horse having its first run type of thing, with the future in mind. So it was no surprise to see the IRISH stewards got involved. I'm not on SM and I don't think there was any chat on here, so that's the first sign that anyone other than myself thought the final stages of the ride looked a little unusual.
Even after Alpha's defeat, he was basically making out he was thrilled with the run and claiming basically it was a prep. He said they will ask her to go quicker next time, ie when they really want to win the race. That was on rtv to Gary.
The market isn't too relevant unless you know who was backing who. The point in that respect is some people back the perceived 2nd or 3rd string, invariably if Moore was riding in the race, Moore would be perceived to be the first string and that shapes the early market. So you're getting a bigger price due to it perceived not to be the first string, imv don't moan when it is ridden like that.
Regarding the actual running of the race, as I've mentioned on other threads, if you watch 1000s of races you usually pick up on something out of the ordinary pretty quickly. My first thought was, that jockey accepted it pretty readily, more readily than seemed appropriate. Think horse having its first run type of thing, with the future in mind. So it was no surprise to see the IRISH stewards got involved. I'm not on SM and I don't think there was any chat on here, so that's the first sign that anyone other than myself thought the final stages of the ride looked a little unusual.
The barstewards podcast were discussing the Sugar island, and the gist of it was that if she'd been given an efficient ride then she could have been a frame contender at least, but this well-bred filly who's useful in her own right, was sacrificed to potentially set the race up for Minnie Hawk.
If I were riding Florida Bay, I'd be aware of two things, he's going to be very fit and judging from his Leopardstown victory, he's going to find plenty for pressure.
But to even think that, I guess that makes me a "headcase"!
But to even think that, I guess that makes me a "headcase"!
Honestly George with a few strides to go AFTER the winner has gone a neck up you think the second would have went past it again? The winner won on merit and Lordan wasn't exactly too hard on it after he'd taken the lead. Florida Bsy was ridden aggressively from the front as you would have wanted, whatever happens in the future the winner was the best horse on the day.
It looks quite clear. He had a look over, made sure it was the right one and stopped riding. Very clear to me. Could he have bgot ack up? You'll never know because he didn't give it the chance to. The fact that it was bet means nothing. You don't know who was on it.... probably a whole lot of mugs like us. The clever money was on the winner (some might guess, the inside money, but that would be pure conjecture - Betfair could probably tell you). This is the game you choose to participate in, warts and all.
Florida Bay was tenderly handled once the stablemate went past.
That was why the Curragh stewards were brave enough to call them in.
As I said, if I were a jockey on one of theirs, being headed would not be an excuse to start riding tenderly, because they tend be very fit, game and find for pressure.
I find it hard to believe for one second, that if the horse had been headed by one from another yard, Whelan would have ridden the way he did in the last fifty yards.
That was why the Curragh stewards were brave enough to call them in.
As I said, if I were a jockey on one of theirs, being headed would not be an excuse to start riding tenderly, because they tend be very fit, game and find for pressure.
I find it hard to believe for one second, that if the horse had been headed by one from another yard, Whelan would have ridden the way he did in the last fifty yards.
Mick thinks any criticism of ballydoyle is inferred criticism of southern Ireland itself. He takes it very personally! Plenty of jockeys based in Ireland don't ride hard once beat, yet he reaches for one riding in England for the whataboutery. The nationality and base of connections in horse racing are completely irrelevant. These people aren't going to be doing any favours for Mick, and would happily sell ice to eskimos.
Cider knock it on the head will you. Your bigotry is becoming tiresome. Anything I say you say the opposite, and its not because you believe it. You do believe youre some kind of Oracle which you clearly aren't. Only reason you posted on this thread is because I did. My opinion on this race has nothing to do with the base of the stable. Unlike you.
George does your findings not also include the winner? Wouldn't he also find for pressure?
shoodacoodadidnt 24 Aug 26 14:01
It looks quite clear. He had a look over, made sure it was the right one and stopped riding. Very clear to me.
walofs
It looks quite clear. He had a look over, made sure it was the right one and stopped riding. Very clear to me.
walofs
Anyone who did their do on Florida Bay you might get it back from Ocean Murphy 5.26
MJK 24 Aug 26 16:40
George does your findings not also include the winner? Wouldn't he also find for pressure?
Oh I see, once headed, just take it easy because the winner is going to find anyway?
George does your findings not also include the winner? Wouldn't he also find for pressure?
Oh I see, once headed, just take it easy because the winner is going to find anyway?
Aug 24, 2026 -- 4:47PM, Hugo-Hackenbush wrote:
shoodacoodadidnt 24 Aug 26 14:01
that looks a bit odd - what's happened there - has H-H blocked me? maybe works for BF?
I told you before Mick, I have the unfortunate knack of identifying patterns. I decided to call the one I observed related to you, out. You typically defend Irish connections and b1tch about non southern Irish ones. On here anyway. I've no idea in regard to social media that you use. I'd say the split is about 9:1.
It shouldn't really need typing out, but a significant element of contributing to a forum is posting when you have an alternative viewpoint.
It's up to you obviously, if you don't feel your posted opinions are swayed by the nationality of the people involved, that's up to you. For me, that is now beyond doubt.
I DO feel you are overly sensitive to criticism of connections if they happen to be Irish. Why bring William Buick into it? Why not use another Irish jockey, since these were Irish stewards? I'm not a fan of whataboutery anyway.
It shouldn't really need typing out, but a significant element of contributing to a forum is posting when you have an alternative viewpoint.
It's up to you obviously, if you don't feel your posted opinions are swayed by the nationality of the people involved, that's up to you. For me, that is now beyond doubt.
I DO feel you are overly sensitive to criticism of connections if they happen to be Irish. Why bring William Buick into it? Why not use another Irish jockey, since these were Irish stewards? I'm not a fan of whataboutery anyway.
I told you before Mick, I have the unfortunate knack of identifying patterns. I decided to call the one I observed related to you, out. You typically defend Irish connections and b11tch about non southern Irish ones. On here anyway. I've no idea in regard to social media that you use. I'd say the split is about 9:1.
It shouldn't really need typing out, but a significant element of contributing to a forum is posting when you have an alternative viewpoint.
It's up to you obviously, if you don't feel your posted opinions are swayed by the nationality of the people involved, that's up to you. For me, that is now beyond doubt.
I DO feel you are overly sensitive to criticism of connections if they happen to be Irish. Why bring William Buick into it? Why not use another Irish jockey, since these were Irish stewards? I'm not a fan of whataboutery anyway.
It shouldn't really need typing out, but a significant element of contributing to a forum is posting when you have an alternative viewpoint.
It's up to you obviously, if you don't feel your posted opinions are swayed by the nationality of the people involved, that's up to you. For me, that is now beyond doubt.
I DO feel you are overly sensitive to criticism of connections if they happen to be Irish. Why bring William Buick into it? Why not use another Irish jockey, since these were Irish stewards? I'm not a fan of whataboutery anyway.
florida bay was hard ridden over 1f out..the winner was edging past a nck up going into the last 50yds when jock sl eased..winner would have won regardless.
Not really relevant. This firm thinks they can do whatever they like. More often than not, it appears they can.
Cider as I say you think you know everything. And you dont. I brought Buick into it because he's universally known as the worse for not riding out for a place. Nothing to do with where he rides. I'll repeat for the third time there are much better examples of what people are accusing Whelan of yesterday from these and other connections down the years. To accuse him of letting the winner win this race is total idiocy. And again I'll repeat at the moment for some on here and elsewhere every race O'Brien has a runner its a conspiracy whoever wins. The pile on is shocking.
Keane got a big ban for not riding out this season I seem to recall. How many days has William Buick got for not riding out?
Nobody knows everything. I'm confident that I can hold my own. Who isn't?
It would be total idiocy to conclude that I accused Whelan of letting Moore win the race, judged by what I have posted. That's evidently just in your head.
My opinion was that he accepted defeat more readily than he should have, and displayed what I would consider is abnormal riding for a group 1 jock in a close finish. So did the stewards feel something similar, it seems. Whelan claimed that the horse made a noise, and got banned for not reporting it. 1.01 that claim is complete hogwash.
It would be total idiocy to conclude that I accused Whelan of letting Moore win the race, judged by what I have posted. That's evidently just in your head.
My opinion was that he accepted defeat more readily than he should have, and displayed what I would consider is abnormal riding for a group 1 jock in a close finish. So did the stewards feel something similar, it seems. Whelan claimed that the horse made a noise, and got banned for not reporting it. 1.01 that claim is complete hogwash.
Wayne Lordan was on the winner I believe. Winner won 1/2 length. Whelan did nothing wrong. What's the problem here?
Whelan got a ban. So he did something wrong, at least according to those who determine wrongdoing.
I would love to know what he did "wrong" regarding his ride. Did he ever so slightly "give up" 50 yards out? Horse gave its all. Would NEVER have won no matter what ride he was given.
It's been covered already. Plenty of people seem to feel he accepted defeat too easily. He only 'remembered' the horse made a noise when the stewards held an enquiry. It doesn't take a genius to work out that he likely back fitted that claim to the footage of the race he would have been shown. As in, it was likely BS that couldn't be disproved. He took a day off for the team. Everyone is happy.
Cider, his ban was for failing to report his horse made a noise, not for any wrongdoing with the ride. hth
Finally, the contribution we were all waiting for 
It's in the OP already, so no help at all.
He came up with the excuse on the spot, when the stewards looked into the running and riding of his mount.
Presumably jockeys are meant to provide that information before any investigation, and not have an opportunity to make it up on the spot. Hence the (rather lenient) punishment.
It's in the OP already, so no help at all.
He came up with the excuse on the spot, when the stewards looked into the running and riding of his mount.
Presumably jockeys are meant to provide that information before any investigation, and not have an opportunity to make it up on the spot. Hence the (rather lenient) punishment.
I think most had worked that out but you had to say "So he did something wrong" and left it there!! hth
slickster wrote 'Whelan did nothing wrong'. I addressed that.
They are not unrelated events, obviously. He must have felt it didn't look good on the footage, so made up something to try and explain it away (would be my interpretation). So the ride led to the ban, indirectly.
They are not unrelated events, obviously. He must have felt it didn't look good on the footage, so made up something to try and explain it away (would be my interpretation). So the ride led to the ban, indirectly.
So obvious,why nothing mentioned about the ride on here 'til today?
Hugo-Hackenbush 24 Aug 26 17:56
florida bay was hard ridden over 1f out..the winner was edging past a nck up going into the last 50yds when jock sl eased..winner would have won regardless.
slickster 24 Aug 26 18:22
I would love to know what he did "wrong" regarding his ride. Did he ever so slightly "give up" 50 yards out? Horse gave its all. Would NEVER have won no matter what ride he was given.
pmsl tslk about plagiarism #wac
florida bay was hard ridden over 1f out..the winner was edging past a nck up going into the last 50yds when jock sl eased..winner would have won regardless.
slickster 24 Aug 26 18:22
I would love to know what he did "wrong" regarding his ride. Did he ever so slightly "give up" 50 yards out? Horse gave its all. Would NEVER have won no matter what ride he was given.
pmsl tslk about plagiarism #wac
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