Am I Blue

This horse was subject to huge support before the off. The form was terrible. The named jockey was declared ill and was replaced. The horse bolted up by 20 lengths even though it tailed off in its last three races.



The on course stewards said that they accepted the reasons why the horse improved by connections BUT now a statement from the BHA which reads..............

When a horse wins showing improved form having been heavily supported and subject to a jockey change it is vital to the integrity of the sport that all of the factors are established.Our integrity department have spoken to the race course stewards who have obtained two possible reasons for the improvement in form. It remains entirley possible that everything was all above board. But it is just as important to prove if that was the case as it is to prove that it was not. Therefore our integrity services and licensing department will be looking into all, all of the circumstances of Am I Blues victory at Hereford today.

Good the industry is working in the right way here in the UK.

Sure the guys will also be looking into the transactions on Betfair?

Racing Post

Am I Blue lands hefty gamble at Hereford

A HEFTY gamble was landed at Hereford on Wednesday afternoon when Am I Blue, owned and trained by Delyth Thomas, was backed into 5-1 from 25-1 and romped home by 19 lengths under replacement jockey Richard Johnson.


Conditional jockey Dean Coleman was due to ride Am I Blue, who touched 4-1 just before the off, in the 2m4f handicap hurdle but called in sick before racing. It was his only ride of the day.

The four-year-old, formerly trained by Tim Vaughan, had finished last of 12 runners on her previous outing at Worcester two weeks ago, and down the field on his two starts before that, but the stewards did not hold an official inquiry into the improved form. However, stipendiary steward Simon Cowley did talk to Thomas and the BHA later released a statement to say the integrity services and licencing department would be looking into all of the circumstances surrounding Am I Blue's victory.

Thomas, for whom this was her first winner since April 2005, told the Racing Post: "I'm astonished as to where the money has come from. I was going to have £5 each-way even though I don't bet, but when I saw she was 5-1 I didn't bother."

Explaining the improved performance from Am I Blue, Thomas added: "Since her last run she has been given spinal therapy treatment and we decided to change the tactics today."

Am I Blue landed a monster gamble when running away with the Wyvern Ices Handicap Hurdle at Hereford.

The four-year-old had failed to score on any of her previous 16 starts and had been beaten 88 lengths when last of 12 on her latest appearance at Worcester.

But having been available at 25-1 in the opening shows this morning, the Delyth Thomas-trained filly was backed at all rates down to just 5-1 before the off.

In a further twist, leading jockey Richard Johnson was called up as a late replacement for 5lb claimer Dean Coleman, who was booked to ride the horse at the declaration stage.

Am I Blue was sent straight to the head of affairs by Johnson and had her rivals in trouble from the turn for home.

She continued to increase her advantage all the way up the home straight and passed the post 19 lengths ahead of Northern Lad.

A delighted Thomas, who had gone 1973 days and 44 runners without a winner, claimed the gamble came as surprise to her.

Thomas told At The Races: "I don't know where it's (money) come from - maybe Richard Johnson riding her?

"I found out Dean was unwell this morning, so I was stuck, but Richard did a marvellous job.

"She's had a bad shoulder so we had that sorted and fingers crossed today it's worked.

"She just hasn't been travelling but we changed the tactics today because Richard said he thought she could be made more use of and it's worked.

"She's so sweet and a lovely mare."

The stewards' accepted the trainer's explanation that the improvement in form had been brought about by the change of tactics and some spinal therapy and decided not to hold an inquiry.

Some other comments:

S J WEBB
MRS. D. WILLIAMS
F J MORGAN
A GRAZEBROOK
MRS P EVETTS
R BELLAMY
and especially SIMON COWLEY

HANG YOUR HEADS IN SHAME.

brilliant performance from the trainer....emmy or oscar material,, excellent delivery very well received. Stewards should be charged with failure to do their job.

However, stipendiary steward Simon Cowley did talk to Thomas and the BHA later released a statement to say the integrity services and licencing department would be looking into all of the circumstances surrounding Am I Blue's victory.

Look forward to the outcome.