BHA must think again after Ascot showpiece

Both in devising its new autumn calendar, and its new whip rules, British horse racing has sought to engage with the world beyond its parish. Through a combination of goodwill and good luck, one of these endeavours has thrived to the extent that even those maddened by its flaws could not fail to enjoy the inaugural Qipco Champions Day. However outrageous the benedictions bestowed upon Ascot on Saturday, certainly, the occasion did not deserve to be cursed on so reciprocal a scale.

Apologists for the concept's outstanding failings may or may not be justified in perceiving some benign destiny in the contributions of Frankel, and weather that can be counted scarcely less freakish. But they need be in no doubt as to the agency by which the day's disastrous epilogue had obtained a corresponding air of inevitability. Whether or not somebody up there was smiling on Champions Day, it was proportionately undermined by mortal folly.

In radically changing the definition and punishment of whip offences just five days before its new showcase day, the sport's regulators had almost seemed to be looking for trouble. The biggest culture shock was always going to be the forfeiture of riding fees and prize-money by any jockey crossing a challenging new threshold of misuse. To expect an overnight adjustment, just before offering jockeys the richest prize ever contested on a British racecourse, was either sadistic or plain stupid. Sure enough, an essentially innocuous transgression by Christophe Soumillon – in the course of a stylish ride on Cirrus Des Aigles – has cost him more than £50,000.

Strike action scheduled for today had only been averted when representatives of the Professional Jockeys' Association were invited to talks with the British Horseracing Authority instead. But Soumillon's punishment raises the stakes anew after another of Europe's outstanding horsemen, Richard Hughes, was banned for a total of 15 days for two borderline offences within the first four days of the new regime. Ruled out of the Breeders' Cup, Hughes immediately vowed to quit unless the BHA came up with punishments that might remotely fit the crime.

Soumillon – like Hughes – did not even reach the new limit (in Flat races) of seven strikes. In the heat of battle, however, he had not been certain as to the whereabouts of the furlong pole, after which he was only permitted to use his whip five times. To exact the biggest financial penalty in the history of the British turf for that fateful sixth tap is so palpably exorbitant that Soumillon might even be justified in pursuing his threat of legal action. Sporting bodies are largely immune to judicial review, but their regulatory conduct can still be challenged as unreasonable. On the face of it, the loss of £50,000 for so marginal an offence might conceivably support a claim measured against the "Wednesbury" standard – namely, that no sensible person who applied his mind the question could reach the same conclusion.

Be that as it may, it is heart-breaking that this genuine crisis for the sport should have cast a bitter shadow over such an afternoon. The autumn sunshine cascading behind the spectacular grandstand found an answering glow in the crowds gathered below to receive Frankel – and, of course, his cherished trainer, Henry Cecil – into a winner's enclosure that had never previously seemed so alive.

With all five big races won by horses eligible for their billing, before an enthusiastic crowd that comfortably doubled the turnout for the final Champion Stakes at Newmarket last year, Ascot made the most of its good fortune. But then that is the least you would expect. A destitute industry has vested colossal sums in this project, with an overall marketing budget rumoured to exceed the unprecedented purse offered for the Champion Stakes itself. The professional community certainly responded to its own incentives, both in terms of prize-money and the removal of penalties in those races seeking Group One upgrades. But none of this makes any less frightening the sense of vindication that may now infect some of the more arrogant and parochial of the new calendar's authors.

Consider Frankel himself. His presence is being portrayed as the crowning vindication of Champions Day. In reality, it has postponed his due fulfilment until next year. Last year, Frankel would have been able to win the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes in its traditional September slot, and then proceed to some new frontier – quite possibly over 10 furlongs in the Champion Stakes. As it is, with the Breeders' Cup deemed too soon, he has been condemned to gallop in public for 99.45 seconds after July. On Saturday, moreover, he beat the same colt, Excelebration, for the third time this season.

This is somehow supposed to represent a triumph for British racing. In its current slot, Champions Day is deliberately set up to discourage the proper exploration of a champion's limits. If Champions Day instead dovetailed with those end-of-season challenges by which the international racing and bloodstock industry has long gained its bearings, Frankel might have been measured against fresh opposition in a different environment.

The organisers have promised no complacency and it is hard to believe they will go out and embrace the difficulties undeniably implicit in switching to a September date when a heightened Group One sheen looks within easy reach. No doubt they will also persevere with the fatuous charade that is the "Champions Series". But if their critics are honest enough to acknowledge the virtues of Saturday's experiment, it would be nice to think that its organisers will not deceive themselves about the things that could make it better. It is only in the same spirit of mutual humility, after all, that the jockeys and regulators can meet a still more urgent challenge when they meet today.

Turf Account

Chris McGrath's Nap

Vimiero (4.00 Windsor)

Well backed to open his account at Wolverhampton last time and looked unlucky not to do so, tanking along when held up in traffic and just failing to get up.

Next Best

Al Saham (3.40 Pontefract)

Pulled the second eight lengths clear on his Newcastle debut, always looking in control, and pedigree entitles him to improve past more experienced rivals.

One to watch

Great Shot (Sylvester Kirk) offered potential for the all-weather campaign when restored to a mile at Lingfield the other day, circling the field before closing late for fourth.

Where the money's going

Midday has been made 11-4 favourite for the Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Turf after doing best of the closers when fourth in the Qipco Champion Stakes on Saturday.