Dwyer's Indian ban reduced on appeal

Sunday 8 September 2013, 2:34pm

British jockeys have been cautioned about riding in India in the wake of Martin Dwyer's suspension.

Dwyer had an eight-month suspension reduced to 56 days at an appeal in India on Saturday which he said he would ask British authorities not to reciprocate.

The 38-year-old finished a narrow third on market leader Ice Age at Mahalaxmi racecourse in Mumbai on February 17, prompting an angry response from racegoers.

He was initially suspended for 56 days, but in August the stewards of the Royal Western India Turf Club upped the penalty, saying he had not ridden the filly on her merits.

His ban is officially due to begin on Monday, but he is entitled to ask the British Horseracing Association not to impose the suspension until his appeal is heard.

Paul Struthers, chief executive of the Professional Jockeys Association (PJA), said the RWITC appeal board's decision was "disgraceful".

"It is still a disgraceful decision and the RWITC have gone totally against their own rules by failing to uphold Martin's appeal in full," Struthers said.

"An application will be made to BHA press office on Monday requesting the ban is not reciprocated and for stay of penalty pending hearing.

"Whether or not jockeys go out to ride in India this winter will be a matter of personal choice for them.

"However, any jockeys that have been approached to or are considering doing so should at the very least be very cautious indeed about who the are riding for and they are strongly advised to contact the PJA before making a decision about going out there."

A head-on video of the closing stages showed Dwyer's mount bumped the eventual runner-up and caused the jockey to snatch up his mount.

RWITC stewards called an inquiry and announced the horse was to be deemed a non-starter, with all bets refunded.

Dwyer has always maintained his mount had not moved correctly and that she had suffered a nosebleed during the race.

Struther's said Dwyer's ground of appeal were very strong.

"It is our view that no fair and reasonable panel could have found against them," he said.

"His first ground of appeal was that Ice Age bled in her race on February 3 and even though the rules require the trainer, Khuji Katrak, to have reported that, he failed to do so."

– PAA

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