Jockey appeals hefty suspension handed down at Cheltenham

Jockey appeals hefty suspension handed down at Cheltenham

20 March 2019

A DOWNPATRICK jockey is appealing against a 10-day suspension picked up at the Cheltenham Festival last week.

Amateur rider Declan Lavery was suspended by stewards after they ruled that he carried on riding a tired horse that should have been pulled up in last Tuesday’s National Hunt Chase.

Lavery was one of three jockeys in hot water with the stewards after a gruelling four-mile chase which was confined to amateur riders.

Legendary former jockey Tony McCoy called the ban the “worst decision in 25 years.”

The 20-time champion jockey, who retired in 2015, said it was “a disgrace” Lavery was suspended. “It’s an absolute disgrace — it’s indefensible,” he remarked afterwards.

Trainer Philip Hobbs defended Lavery’s decision to continue riding. “After the race the horse was absolutely fine,” he said.

“No vet actually was asked to see him after the race, which I think is relevant, as surely if the horse was completely exhausted the vet should have seen him before Declan Lavery went into the stewards’ room.

“The next day at home the horse was grand. Yes, he was tired, but I really don’t think he was that exhausted that he should have been pulled up.”