August 10, 1998. Copyright, 1998, Graphic News. All rights reserved

A Case of mistaken identity
by Midge Todhunter

Lancashire trainer Jack BerryÕs team were in the doghouse after saddling, and consequently running, the wrong horse in a race at Hamilton Park, on August 1.
The Berry-trained Perigeux, a two-year old colt, was mistakenly brought up from the racecourse stables and saddled for the filliesÕ handicap Ð the race in which stable companion Royal Dream was down to run.
Perigeux was due to run an hour later in the nursery race on the card. But no one noticed the mix-up until after the race, and the colt had subsequently trailed home a distance behind the others, after being well-backed to 7-2 favourite.
The trainer was not in attendance at the Scottish track, and was represented by his son Alan who took full responsibility for the blunder.
Berry senior this week apologised to punters for the mix-up: ÔI am very sorry it happened and you have just got to put it down to the fact that human error comes into it a little bit.Õ
ÔIt looks as though the lad brought the wrong horse across from the stables. Over the years weÕve had thousands of runners and it has never happened before, nor will it happen again.Õ
Former trainer Gerry Blum, a lifelong friend of Jack Berry, is part-owner of Perigeux. Blum helped connections saddle the horse (a colt!) they all thought was the filly Royal Dream, only to find later it was actually his own horse.
Racecourse stables and saddling areas during racing are high-pressure places where time is of the essence. Important decisions are made in split-seconds, usually whilst trying to field questions from anxious owners Ð there are bound to be mistakes made, one way or another.
The local stewards at Hamilton Park have sent a report to the Jockey Club at Portman Square, London who in turn are to hold a full investigation. The Jockey Club revealed this week that they are developing microchip technology in a move to prevent similar instances occurring. Tests are well under way for the use of a microchip embedded in the neck of each horse as a foal, and bar-code type apparatus on racecourses which would detect any mistakes of identity./ENDS