You Be The Judge: The 'Herd' Mentality?

While the term “herding” doesn’t appear in most official horse racing rules, jockeys and stewards know what it means, and it can be the source of a disqualification. Herding refers to the practice of drifting a horse to one side or the other so as to engage a rival or force that rival to alter his or her path.

For stewards, perhaps herding is like that old definition of pornography — you know it when you see it.

In this edition of You Be The Judge, we look at an incident that occurred in a recent race at Indiana Grand. For the record, here is what the Indiana rules say:

When the way is clear in a race, a horse may be ridden to any part of the course, but if any horse swerves, or is ridden to either side, so as to interfere with, impede, or intimidate any other horse, it may be a foul.

The offending horse may be disqualified if, in the opinion of the stewards, the foul altered the finish of the race, regardless of whether the foul was accidental, willful, or the result of careless riding.

Watch the replay and let us know if you think the stewards made the right call in this case.

[alanwhite]

The stewards must have backed the 2 grey horses forcast. What a bloody joke for disqualify the winner, poor decision.

[chemicalquirk]

That happens almost every race!!! Keep him

[paddycleary]

that is unbelievable the best horse one by far

[davidkent]

I don't think this non-incident would have even warranted a steward's inquiry in the UK.

[MrNonch]

Nope...bad call. The third wasn't impeded to his detriment, he was drifting as much. After the turn, he had every chance, but wasn't good enuff. He wasn't deprived of a better place- the result stands. However...the Indy stewards and me had a good bet on the race- even if it had finished 9th, the 8 horse was going to get that race somehow! Lol.

[Lorenzoselas]

One of the many reasons this game is becoming extinct.

[racinford]

Wrong call the 3rd horse never pulled up, but did go wide. As a bettor the 7 horse still had run as the being pushed wide that was the path his ride chose . Bad call.

[onenickelmiracle]

When the ball bounces in roulette, you don't blame the bounce. They're wild animals, can't honestly blame them fighting for the lead and maintaining it.

[pimpapillo]

Ridicolous. The third horse finished 4-5 lenghts behind and that was a very, very minor impedement. Disgraceful decision.

[bomb]

Absolutely ridiculous!!! What horse doesn't shift over a little on a turn on the grass?

[johnavery]

I think other people have said it but this would not even been looked at by stewards in the UK. Working for a bookmaker I find stewards in the US and France interfere in results far to often. It takes a lot for any results to be overturned here. We are talking about huge animals here with light jockeys.... these animals will not always go were you want them to go. Maybe us having horse racing for over 400 years we have worked it out.

[DigitalAndInnovation]

This was an insightful look- but felt like a bit of a bait for engagement. Asking others to be the judge theoretically could be non biased, but the way it was presented seemed like it was click bait. It it was truly a question- generally a disclaimer would be be put forth.

[jacomans]

If you watch the jockeys action on the 4, he didn’t change his action at all, he didn’t have to pull up, or shift inside, his continuity wasn’t broken, he didn’t look like he would have beat the 7 anyway, Belmont and especially Gulfstream they wouldn’t even had looked at it.

[danielthomas]

It was one dominant horse not allowing another horse by and the jockey let it happen

[yipyappyyip]

Bad case of assuming herd mentality for Indy stews. Winner drifted out but was clear and no contact was made. If anything, the third place finisher drifted in on the turn. There is no rule that horses have to run in lanes around the turn...

[Herman]

I know that Belmont, Santa Anita, and Aqueduct would not have disqualified the horse for something both minor and likely somewhat commonplace.

[clivehuther]

Not in England the 3rd has hung in behind clear daylight at the turn and the 7 horse straightened up shocking call

[kevink]

Welcome to Vegas! That's all i have to say! I've been gambling on horses since 1995 and this is a total joke! I've had my horse get hit run up on 20 times harder then that and not come down. This was as minor as it gets. They clearly had tickets for the 8/4 exacta up in the booth! :D

[quilpiepark]

wow - that is a very poor decision. Which place do they suggest it was cost - 2nd / the win? The winner beat the 3rd horse by 3 3/4 L yet the steward said he got 2L break on him - so why Upheld if the margin beaten is Greater than the Suggested Margin cost?

[alvaro]

and the jockey of #4 didn't even call for objection...someone there in the stewards booth had a$100 exacta box 4-8 ticket