TWO trainers are at the centre of an investigation after a horse backed from 28-1 into evens won easily.
Reports claim betting patterns are being looked into after trainer Ken Budds' Anyway won at Downpatrick in Ireland on Monday.
Interviewed afterwards, the relatively unknown trainer told Racing TV he had backed the horse and said: "I have to get money somewhere."
The five-year-old gelding won a 2m2f handicap hurdle by eight-and-a-half lengths.
Anyway, who is owned by the trainer's dad, had never previously won and had been beaten a combined 229 lengths in his previous five races.
The post-race stewards' report confirmed the matter had been sent to a senior official for further investigation.
Anyway was bought in 2021 by renowned trainer Charles Byrnes, who recorded a treble on the same card thanks to Dubeyeracingcraic, Reverend Hubert and Grozni.
Byrnes was also interviewed after the same race.
He had to withdraw his intended runner Karloss after the horse was injured in transit.
Brynes, famous for landing gambles on his horses, said Karloss slipped in his trailer and sweated up en route to the racetrack.
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The stewards' report references Byrnes saying Karloss' owners had been travelling behind so they brought the horse back to his yard and that was why he did not arrive at the course.
The report read: "Having considered all the evidence, the raceday stewards referred the matter onto a senior racing official for further investigation."
Byrnes hit out at rumours circulating on social media on Tuesday morning.
A post from his official account read: "It appears people have let their imaginations run wild last night.
"We were towing a horse box behind a two-stall horse van. The owners had a jeep.
"The horse box was then attached to the hitch on the jeep and the horse was taken home. #youcantteachstupid."
Budds said he had to back his horse because he does not receive any training fees.
Questioned by stewards into the horse's improvement in form, the report read: "Budds stated that he gave Anyway a break after his last run and that he is a lazy horse who benefited from the application of cheek pieces today.
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"On further questioning he stated that he has the horse more than eight months, that he is owned by his father Mr. P. Budds and that they bought the horse from Mr. C. Byrnes.
"Having considered the evidence the raceday stewards referred the matter on to a senior racing official for further investigation."
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