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Talking Horses: Robbie Downey's cocaine ban 'a dark day for the BHA'


A six-month cocaine ban for a young jockey provoked a war of words on Thursday between racing’s ruling body and the Professional Jockeys Association, whose chief executive made an emotionally charged statement accusing the British Horseracing Authority of a last-ditch betrayal, which its officials vigorously denied. “This is a really dark day for the BHA,” declared Paul Struthers, moments after a panel confirmed that 23-year-old Robbie Downey would have to serve a suspension handed down by French officials, even though Downey insists he has never taken cocaine and could not follow the original proceedings, as he does not understand French.

Struthers, together with the solicitor Rory Mac Neice, made an application on Downey’s behalf, asking the BHA not to reciprocate the ban handed down by France-Galop in October. From conversations with officials since then, they believed the BHA was likely to remain neutral and might even be talked into supporting the application. But on Wednesday afternoon came word that, after taking advice from a barrister, the BHA had decided to oppose it.

During a three-hour hearing on Thursday, Louis Weston argued on behalf of the ruling body that there had been no breach of natural justice in relation to Downey’s original hearing in France and therefore his application must fail. Downey’s only assistance in France had come from the jockey’s agent Herve Naggar, who volunteered to make some representations on the rider’s behalf. However, Weston argued that Downey had had the opportunity to hire a French solicitor and a translator.

Lingfield 12.35 Moondance 1.10 Reeves 1.45 Moon Trouble 2.20 Island Hideaway 2.55 Music Major 3.25 Salkeev 3.55 Deeds Not Words

Sedgefield 12.50 Titus Bolt 12.50 Hill Sixteen (nb) 1.25 Rostello 2.00 Espoire De Loire (nap) 2.35 Tractor Fred 3.05 Ifyoucareshare 3.35 Universal Folly

Huntingdon 12.25 Imperial Aura 1.00 Allart 1.35 Running Wolf 2.10 Goshen 2.45 Who’s The Boss 3.15 Just A Thought 3.45 El Kaldoun

Wolverhampton 4.10 Foresee 4.45 Never A Word 5.15 Onebaba 5.45 Locked N’ Loaded 6.15 Waleydd 6.45 Knockabout Queen 7.15 Katherine Place

The PJA paid for two tests, one by a British lab and one in France, on hair samples provided by Downey which showed no evidence of cocaine. On that basis, Downey argued in France that any cocaine in his sample must have come from environmental contamination.

But, Weston said, France-Galop concluded that a negative hair sample “is not evidence of a complete abstinence from a drug”. France-Galop declined to tell Downey what quantity of cocaine was found in his urine sample, a refusal which Mac Neice said significantly hampered the preparation of Downey’s case.

The verdict came as a double-whammy for Downey, as his suspension was originally stayed in Britain and will now run until July. However, it was immediately reciprocated by the Indian authorities, who prevented him from taking up a contract there in the autumn.

Struthers had no complaint about the panel or its verdict, reserving his fire for the BHA’s approach. “You’ve got a guy who has very little financial means, who quite clearly, to me, hasn’t done what he’s now going to serve close to eight months for,” he said.

“For months we have been having conversations with the BHA about whether they would be neutral or would support it and yesterday they warned us they were going to oppose it. I perhaps shouldn’t be but I’m staggered.

“I think the BHA have put their relationship with France Galop over what’s right. This has really stung me and it’s stung Rory and it will change how we are able to work with that particular team at the BHA, going forward.”

A BHA spokesman said it was bound to reciprocate the ban under the terms of an international agreement, unless the rules of natural justice had been breached. “The BHA has made extensive efforts to assist the PJA and has acted in good faith throughout,” he said. “This has included acquiring relevant information from France Galop on two occasions, as well as seeking expert evidence from scientific analysts on Mr Downey’s behalf.

“Following the receipt in writing of the PJA’s formal position on Monday and conversation with legal counsel, the BHA adopted the position that the suspension imposed by France Galop complied with the rules of French racing and the laws of natural justice, and had to be reciprocated. The independent disciplinary panel reached the same conclusion.

“The BHA is aware of Mr Downey’s financial situation and has made efforts to assist him and the PJA since the outset. However, we are signatories to the international agreement which is reflected in our rules.”

Protektorat reinstated as first Cheltenham winner of 2020

Protektorat has been reinstated as the first winner of the year at Cheltenham at an appeal hearing in London. The Dan Skelton-trained horse was first past the post in a novice hurdle on New Year’s Day but was disqualified by the raceday stewards for causing interference a furlong from home to the runner-up, Imperial Alcazar.

An appeal was made on the basis that Protektorat was ahead of Imperial Alcazar when he crossed to the stands’ rail and in fact caused no interference. An appeals panel of the British Horseracing Authority appears to have accepted that, as it has allowed the appeal, though it did not offer any immediate reasons for the verdict.

Harry Skelton, Protektorat’s jockey, said he was delighted for the horse’s owner, John Hales, a supporter of the Skelton yard. Fergal O’Brien, trainer of Imperial Alcazar, accepted the outcome phlegmatically, saying: “It’s a bit like penalties, you get some and you lose some.”

The stewards’ inquiry was notable for being the first to involve Shaun Parker, newly appointed as the British Horseracing Authority’s head of stewarding. He was one of three stewards who decided on the day that Protektorat should be demoted.



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