Wednesday 19 October 2011

Nine Jockeys Lose Appeal


The nine jockeys suspended for 10 days for failing to observe a race-stop flag at Wetherby have lost their appeals against the suspensions.

The 12 October race was declared void after Ashburton Lad pulled up injured.

But champion jockey Tony McCoy, Brian Hughes, Graham Lee and Danny Cook all failed to stop and were banned.

Denis O'Regan, Alex Voy, Jonathon Bewley, Paddy Brennan and Brian Toomey also had their British Horseracing Authority suspensions upheld.

They say life is like a box of chocolates. Well if this is the case the ones I'm getting at the moment don't taste very nicePaddy Brennan on Twitter

The bans, which run from 26 October to 4 November, rule the jockeys out of several big races, including the Charlie Hall Chase at Wetherby (Saturday, 29 October) and the Haldon Gold Cup at Exeter (Tuesday, 1 November).

Ashburton Lad suffered an injury on the first circuit, causing head groundsman Ian Ward to wave a yellow flag.

Ward judged from his position on the inside of the course that the runners would not be able to get past the horse, who was being treated between the final two flights in the two-mile handicap hurdle.

Most of the runners in the race, including 2010 BBC Sports Personality of the Year McCoy, carried on, with Cunning Clarets, ridden by Hughes, first past the post.

The three other jockeys in the race - Dougie Costello, Tom Messenger and Campbell Gillies - were not involved in the incident.