By Tom Frary
Saturday's G1 Betfred Derby had added drama as the 3-1 favourite Benvenuto Cellini (Frankel) was declared a non-runner after finishing 10th.
Video evidence reviewed after the start revealed that the Aidan O'Brien-trained Chester Vase winner had his left hind leg on the stalls shelf as the gates opened, effectively putting him at a disadvantage as he began on three legs.
After a stewards inquiry, it was deemed that he had been denied a fair start and he had his chance “materially affected at the start” of the Classic.
Aidan O'Brien said, “That happens, it's horse racing and things don't always go right. Ryan said he just jumped out on three legs and ended up back a bit and conditions were tough, there was nowhere to hide and some of those horses might leave this run behind them. Unusually he put his foot up on the side of the stalls when they opened, but I think he's okay, he's a hardy horse. I imagine he will be.”
The British Horseracing Authority's head of stewarding Shaun Parker explained the situation. “The horses had left the stalls when we were notified immediately from the starter that there was a problem with regards to the favourite and how he had left the stalls. Their view was that he had got a left hind leg caught up on the running board just before the start was effected.”
“In reviewing the film after the running of the race, we then realised that also as the start was effected, his leg was caught up on the running board and he was effectively standing on three legs when the gates opened and unable to jump on terms with the field. We took evidence, his hind leg was caught up on the running board when they started and Ryan realised there was a problem. He's dragging his leg out once he's gone.”
“The important aspect of the inquiry is to ask has it materially affected him and the important part from that is what were the instructions, what were the intentions and how were they going to ride the horse? Ryan said his instructions and his intention was to take the horse forward and be positive with him and we can see shortly after the start he's literally second-last and on the back foot from the start. We don't feel we had any choice but to declare him a non-runner.”
Non runner! Mad stuff. Benny blew it. #Derby https://t.co/lgtrzDZ4j0
— Anne Marie Duff (@amdracing) June 6, 2026
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