The two-year-old Galileo filly Twinkle, a sister to Epsom Derby hero Anthony Van Dyck (IRE) and a half to Group 1 ARC Railway Stakes winner Bounding (Lonhro), broke her maiden at Galway overnight in the strangest of circumstances.
The daughter of Mark Kavanagh's Group III MRC Blue Diamond Prelude winner Believe'N'Succeed (Exceed And Excel) was second past the post, but the drama was just about to begin.
The Jessica Harrington-trained debutant Alizarine ran out a comfortable winner by one and three-quarter lengths. It turned out that Alizarine was, in fact, her three-year-old stablemate Aurora Princess who was set down to run later in the day.
Twinkle (image Emma O'Brien Photography twitter)
Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board communications manager Niall Cronin said in a statement: "All horses are checked on arrival. Alizarine is in Galway, she arrived here with the rest of Mrs Harrington's runners, Aurora Princess also being one of them.
"Mrs Harrington didn't saddle the runners for that race herself but subsequently has accepted full responsibility for what has happened.
"In the inquiry itself she expressed the similarity between the two fillies. I think she referred to them as being almost identical, she may have even said that they were like twins.
"When the winner of race two arrived back to be checked again by the IHRB officials, prior to the winner alright being announced, the filly could not be positively identified.
"Further examination by the IHRB veterinary officer confirmed that the filly was indeed Aurora Princess so an objective was lodged by the veterinary officer.
"The stewards inquired into the matter and Mrs Harrington accepted that the wrong filly had run. She held her hands up and accepted full responsibility.
"The stewards, using their power under 262 (iv) c, disqualified Alizarine.
"It's an unfortunate incident. Because of the time restraints on a raceday, the matter has been referred on to allow for a full investigation."
The race Aurora Princess was paid up to run in, a one and a half handicap for three-year-olds, was won by a daughter of Pride Of Dubai.
