Month: March 2022

Dunne Suspension Reduced to 10 Months After Appeal

Jockey Robbie Dunne has had his 18-month suspension reduced to 10 months after an appeal hearing in London. Dunne was suspended for conduct prejudicial to racing for his harassment and bullying of fellow rider Bryony Frost by the British Horseracing Authority Disciplinary Panel in December. His appeal was rejected by the independent appeal board, with the following conditions:

  • The four breaches of Rule (J)19 originally found by the independent Disciplinary Panel have been adjusted to one overarching breach, which covers all offences
  • Penalty reduced from 18 months suspension (three of which were suspended) to 10 months suspension (with no part suspended)

The suspension will now run from Dec. 10, 2021-Oct. 9, 2022.

In response to the news of the suspension reduction, the British Horseracing Authority released the following statement:

“The independent Appeal Board has today upheld the decision of the independent Disciplinary Panel that Robbie Dunne is in breach of Rule (J)19 in that his conduct was prejudicial to the integrity, proper conduct or good reputation of horseracing in Great Britain. We acknowledge their decision to amend the penalty he will serve and await the full reasons in relation to that aspect.

“This reduction in penalty in no way diminishes the recognition of the severity of the allegations that were brought against Mr. Dunne. Indeed, it continues to send a clear message that conduct of this nature cannot be tolerated in any working environment within our sport.

“Following the original decision last year, the BHA released a statement which outlines our commitment to improving workplace standards, conduct and wellbeing. Work is continuing with industry colleagues to finalise the industry code of conduct, with a view to it going before the BHA Board in the first half of the year. A cross-industry working party has also been formed to look at ways of improving education and awareness around the standards of conducted expected across the sport.

“Once again, we recognise that this has been a challenging period for all involved in this complex and emotive case, and we ask that the privacy and wellbeing of both parties is respected as they continue to receive the support of the appropriate bodies and those close to them.

“We now await the Appeal Board's written reasons before we can comment on any of the technicalities around their findings or any other matters associated with the hearing.”

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Dylan Davis Voted Jockey Of The Week After Four Stakes Wins, Riding Title

For jockey Dylan Davis, the closing weekend of Aqueduct's winter meet was one of the most important of his career. On Saturday, he won four stakes races during the New York Claiming Championship card and on Sunday, he earned Aqueduct's leading jockey title which is the first of his career.

Those accomplishments earned Davis Jockey of the Week for March 21 through March 27. The honor, which is voted on by a panel of racing experts, is for jockeys who are members of the Jockeys' Guild, the organization which represents more than 1050 active, retired and permanently disabled jockeys in the United States.

Davis won the first of four stakes on Saturday in race 2 aboard Witch Hunter in the Belle Gallantey for trainer Charlton Baker. Off as the 1-5 favorite, Witch Hunter won by nine lengths in 1:27.08 for the seven-furlong test for older fillies and mares.

Trainer Wayne Potts then gave a leg up to Davis in race 6 on Baby I'm Perfect in the Peeping Tom, a 6-1/2 furlong sprint for 4-year-olds and up. Baby I'm Perfect took the lead in mid-stretch to post a 4-1/2 length victory in 1:18.40.

In Race 8, Davis rode the 8-year-old Blewitt for trainer John Toscano, Jr. in the seven-furlong Stud Muffin. Racing just off the pace, Blewitt took command at the top of the lane to go on to a 4-1/2 length win in 2:22.84 for the 11-furlong race for 4-year-olds and up.

Davis won his fourth and final race of the day in Race 10, the Dads Cap on No Salt for trainer Mike Micelli. Off as the 3-5 favorite in the field of 13, No Salt tracked Next Flight in second easily drawing off on the turn for a 4-3/4 length win in 1:34.42.

“Everyone had their horses ready and were performing,” said Davis remarking on his four-win day for four different trainers. “I'm just happy that I was able to get four. We don't keep our eggs in one basket. We enjoy riding for everyone.”

On closing day Sunday, Davis earned the first riding title of his career with 63 wins during the 2021-2022 Aqueduct winter meet. His wins included six black-type stakes races and nearly $3.5 million in purses. Davis finished nine wins ahead of Trevor McCarthy.

“It's incredible,” said Davis. “I'm grateful and honored. I've worked very hard for this. I'm grateful I can have this success and get one of the titles. My agent, Mike (Migliore), works very hard behind the scenes to get me the mounts. Thanks to the owners and the trainers and everyone on the backside, especially the horses.” The 27-year-old native of Manhasset, New York is the son of retired jockey Robbie Davis. His sisters, Jackie Davis and Katie Davis-McCarthy are also jockeys.

Davis's statistics for the week were 25-5-5-3 and $281,390 in total purses.

Other nominees were Javier Castellano with three stakes wins, James Graham with a win in the Grade 2 Muniz Memorial at Fair Grounds and won leading rider, Sonny Leon with nine wins for the week, and Joel Rosario with four stakes wins including the G2 Louisiana Derby and the G2 Fair Grounds Oaks.

The post Dylan Davis Voted Jockey Of The Week After Four Stakes Wins, Riding Title appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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Messara Steps Down as Racing Australia Chair

by TDN AusNZ

Racing Australia has had its second high-profile resignation this week, with John Messara stepping down as the Chair of the embattled body, just a day after it was announced CEO Myles Foreman would be leaving.

Messara was appointed the first Independent Chairman in June last year replacing Greg Nichols and was charged with the task of breaking the state-based deadlock which has plagued the organisation for several years.

However, he was not able to reconcile the differences between the major state bodies, chiefly Racing New South Wales and Racing Victoria, nor was he able to progress on the stated aims of Racing Australia and he has decided to step down.

“I joined the Board of Racing Australia as its first-ever Independent Chairman with the intention of reconciling differences,” he said in a short statement.

“I am now stepping aside to allow the Board to vote in a new Chair, who I hope will have more success than I have had.”

When Messara assumed the role of Chair, he listed animal welfare, whip reform and the prolonged debate between the states over the group and listed racing Pattern as priorities to address.

The Board, which will shortly consider the replacement process for a new Chair, paid tribute to Messara, who also held the position of Chairman from 2014 to 2016.

The Arrowfield Chairman has a long list of leadership roles in Australian racing, including as Racing NSW Chairman from 2011 to 2016.

On Tuesday, Racing Australia confirmed that Foreman would step down as CEO after two years in the role and 16 years with the organisation.

“The Board joins me in thanking Myles for his hard work and dedication to the advancement of Australian racing and breeding over the past 16 years and we wish him well in the future, including in the establishment of his sports and business consultancy company,” Messara said on Tuesday.

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