Luther's controversial win at Saratoga which stunned trainer Charlie Fellowes explained
Trainer Charlie Fellowes was left stunned by a controversial decision to promote his horse Luther to first in a graded race at Saratoga.
The Frankel colt had crossed the line a length-and-a-half behind Zulu Kingdom in the National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame Stakes on Friday night.
However rider Joel Rosario objected to the result as Luther had been badly hampered at the first bend, an incident the stewards felt was caused by the original winner.
After deliberations, Zulu Kingdom was demoted to fourth as the British runner banked £176,000 for connections on his second start in the US.
Fellowes said he watched the race at home in the UK and was surprised as Luther inherited victory in the mile contest on firm ground.
"I don't know what just happened, but I'm shocked," he said. "I could see that it was a really messy race and my fella got carved up a little early on, then rushed up into position.
"He really ran an unbelievable race to finish second, considering all of that."
Speaking to the Racing Post, Fellowes, who lost the French 1,000 Guineas in the stewards room earlier in the season, sympathised with connections of Zulu Kingdom.
On that occasion his horse She's Perfect was deemed to have interfered with Zarigana and he added: "I lost the biggest race of my career so I know first-hand it's not the way you want to win."
Michael Dubb, one of the owners of Zulu Kingdom, said they would not appeal the findings.
The official stewards' decision read: "In the seventh race at Saratoga there was a jockeys objection involving the #7 Zulu Kingdom, placed first, ridden by Flavien Prat, the #2 Luther, placed second, ridden by Joel Rosario and #3 Tiz Dashing, placed fourth, ridden by Javier Castellano.
"The incident occurred approaching the first bend. After viewing replays of the incident and questioning riders involved, the stewards were of the view that Zulu Kingdom shifted left leaving insufficient room on its inside, resulting in Tiz Dashing having to take back for a number of strides and carried left into the path of Luther, who made contact with the running rail for numerous strides and caused the rider to check sharply, losing significant momentum and resulted in Luther losing its racing position into the first turn.
"The stewards are satisfied that the incident cost #2 Luther and #3 Tiz Dashing the opportunity at a better placing and as a result #7 Zulu Kingdom was disqualified from 1st and placed 4th. The revised order of finish is 2-5-3-7."
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