Terance Bettany

Terance Bettaney

Article by Alan Trout

Terance Bettaney was one of those unfortunate jockeys who finished first just once but then lost the race in the Stewards’ room. 

It happened at Hereford on Whit Monday, June 3, 1963, when his mount, 33-1 outsider Hyperion Lad, passed the post half a length ahead of 4-1 chance Gideon, ridden by Dan O’Donovan, with 5-4 favourite Farimole, partnered by Tony Potts, just a further half-length back in third. 

Although neither O’Donovan or Potts lodged an objection, the Stewards deemed that Hyperion Lad had not kept a straight course and disqualified him, awarding the race to the runner-up. Hyperion Lad was placed second, a position he had also occupied at Uttoxeter on March 23, when again ridden by Terance.

During the summer the horse changed stables and, ridden by his new trainer Tommy Shone, won first time out in a three-mile one-furlong handicap chase at Newton Abbot on the opening day of the 1963/64 campaign. 

Terance Bettaney did not hold a licence that season. He did renew it for 1964/65 but had few opportunities and had given up before the campaign was over. Thus, he remained winnerless despite having been first past the post on what was so nearly a red-letter occasion on that Whit Monday at Hereford.