A racecourse commentator has apologised after confusing the winner of a race at Meydan in Dubai. Australian Pat Comerford, the resident racecaller at the track, mistakenly identified Tailgunner Joe as another horse during the 11th Carnival meeting of the season on Friday.
Tailgunner Joe, trained by Dylan Cunha, was a 28-1 outsider in a 1m handicap. As the horses approached the finish, Comerford called what he thought was the favourite Carron making a move along the rail. However, the horse in similar pale colours was actually Tailgunner Joe, who went on to win by a neck.
In his commentary, Comerford said: 'Carron is taking the short way home... Carron is diving at Jolly Roger who goes to fight. Carron! Tailgunner Joe! My apologies, Tailgunner Joe has come over the top to win.'
Comerford later apologised on social media, writing: 'I want to apologize to @dylancunha_uk and connections of Tailgunner Joe there, similar colours racing together under the lights and have made the type of blunder you never want to make... I'm glad I realized the last second at the line but apologies to the stable and team there, congratulations on the amazing win.'
