By Andy Hayes, news reporter
A 65-1 shot has won America's famous Kentucky Derby after the horse that finished first was disqualified for interference – the first time that has happened in the race's 145-year history.
The rider of the horse declared the winner – Country House – said he was "speechless".
Gary West, co-owner of the horse that was disqualified, Maximum Security, described it as the "most egregious disqualification in the history of horse racing".
Donald Trump tweeted that the decision was "not a good one", adding that "only in these days of political correctness could such an overturn occur".
The race, which is attended by more than 100,000 people, is known in the United States as the "most exciting two minutes in sports".
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Stewards spent about 20 minutes reviewing the showpiece event from several angles after it was claimed that Maximum Security, which crossed the line first, had interfered with the path of several horses on the home turn.
The Kentucky Horse Racing Commission's chief steward, Barbara Borden, said the riders of Country House and Long Range Toddy lodged objections against Maximum Security.
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"We interviewed affected riders," Ms Borden said. "We determined that (Maximum Security) drifted out and impacted the progress of War of Will, in turn interfering with the 18 and 21. Those horses were all affected by the interference."
Country House's jockey, Flavien Prat, said he lost his "momentum round the turn", telling NBC Sports: "I thought I was going to win and it kind of cost me."
Conditions were not ideal – heavy rain on the dirt track at Churchill Downs meant the going was downgraded from fast to sloppy.
Mr West said there was little Maximum Security's jockey – Luis Saez – could do to control his mount on a sloppy track.
"When you're leg weary, you're not going to run straight all the time," he said. "Horses don't either."
But following the review Country House, which crossed the line in second place, was declared the winner.
But Mr Trump disagreed, tweeting: "The Kentucky Derby decision was not a good one.
"It was a rough and tumble raRead More – Source
By Andy Hayes, news reporter
A 65-1 shot has won America's famous Kentucky Derby after the horse that finished first was disqualified for interference – the first time that has happened in the race's 145-year history.
The rider of the horse declared the winner – Country House – said he was "speechless".
Gary West, co-owner of the horse that was disqualified, Maximum Security, described it as the "most egregious disqualification in the history of horse racing".
Donald Trump tweeted that the decision was "not a good one", adding that "only in these days of political correctness could such an overturn occur".
The race, which is attended by more than 100,000 people, is known in the United States as the "most exciting two minutes in sports".
Advertisement
Stewards spent about 20 minutes reviewing the showpiece event from several angles after it was claimed that Maximum Security, which crossed the line first, had interfered with the path of several horses on the home turn.
The Kentucky Horse Racing Commission's chief steward, Barbara Borden, said the riders of Country House and Long Range Toddy lodged objections against Maximum Security.
More from US
"We interviewed affected riders," Ms Borden said. "We determined that (Maximum Security) drifted out and impacted the progress of War of Will, in turn interfering with the 18 and 21. Those horses were all affected by the interference."
Country House's jockey, Flavien Prat, said he lost his "momentum round the turn", telling NBC Sports: "I thought I was going to win and it kind of cost me."
Conditions were not ideal – heavy rain on the dirt track at Churchill Downs meant the going was downgraded from fast to sloppy.
Mr West said there was little Maximum Security's jockey – Luis Saez – could do to control his mount on a sloppy track.
"When you're leg weary, you're not going to run straight all the time," he said. "Horses don't either."
But following the review Country House, which crossed the line in second place, was declared the winner.
But Mr Trump disagreed, tweeting: "The Kentucky Derby decision was not a good one.
"It was a rough and tumble raRead More – Source
