The Horse Racing Division has taken note that a complaint letter addressed to the Chief Stipe, Mr. Deanthan Moodley, by an owner has become in the public domain and is widely shared and commented on social media.

The Board of Stewards of the Horse Racing Division is fully satisfied that Race 6 (The Alain Perdrau Farewell as Trainer Cup) of Race Meeting 10, run at People’s Turf Plc at the Champ de Mars racecourse on Saturday, 20 May 2023, has been run in all fairness, as highlighted in the Final Report published on Wednesday, 24 May 2023.

For clarity, following are the observations noted in the Final Report for Race Meeting 10, regarding the alleged ‘gunned down’ of horse Hubble:

1. HOLY WARRIOR (D. Bheekary) contested with HUBBLE (R. Joorawon) for the lead early. Thereafter, HOLY WARRIOR was restrained from the 1600m and obtained cover behind the leader, HUBBLE, at the 1500m. In reviewing the footage, the Board was satisfied that:
   1. There was no reason why Jockey D. Bheekary (HOLY WARRIOR) was not entitled to test to see if the lead was available early in this race;
   2. The early extensions of HOLY WARRIOR did not impact its finishing position as Jockey D.

Bheekary’s attempt to move forward was brief and not excessive by any stretch. Additionally, this is

coupled with the fact that HOLY WARRIOR is a stamina laden horse which is graded placed up to 3000m in South Africa and over further than today’s distance in Mauritius which would suggest that when in the right form such a brief early exchange would not prejudice the horse at the finish;

1. Jockey D. Bheekary had not unnecessarily pressed the speed in the race as once he had

ascertained that there was no lead available, he immediately restrained his mount in order to obtain cover;

1. the pattern of riding on HOLY WARRIOR was consistent with his previous runs when he ran his best races in Mauritius that is, he had won and run second. During both these races, after showing only

average gate speed, he was ridden forward aggressively in order to secure the lead. This was particularly significant in the race which he won where he pressed MILLION DOLLAR MAN early and took the lead off it after 500m of early pressure over 2100m; and