Bryony Frost | Horse Racing Free Tips

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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Dunne Appeal To Be Heard on Mar. 30

Jockey Robbie Dunne's appeal will be heard on Mar. 30. The appeal is against the findings of and penalty imposed by the independent Disciplinary Panel of the British Horseracing Authority after a hearing last year regarding Dunne's conduct toward fellow rider Bryony Frost. An 18-month suspension was handed down with three months suspended by the BHA Disciplinary Panel in December. The full written reasons can be found here.

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Culture Of Respect Working Party Established

A cross-industry working party has been established to agree an action plan that will pave the way for improving the culture of respect in British racing. In the wake of the Bryony Frost/Robbie Dunne case, in which Dunne was banned from riding for 18 months for prolonged bullying and intimidation of Frost, racing's major stakeholder bodies issued a statement last month reiterating their commitment to take wide-ranging action to offer support and education to industry participants around behaviours.

The representatives of the culture of respect working party, which will meet monthly and be chaired by the BHA's Head of Industry Training and Retention Adam Green, is also made up of the BHA's Head Of Diversity Rose Grissell, Legal Regulation Advisor Tomas Nolan and Communications Consultant Emma Rouse; National Trainers Federation Chief Executive Paul Johnson; Professional Jockeys Association Acting Chief Executive Dale Gibson and jockey representatives Page Fuller and Andrew Mullen; National Association Of Racing Staff Chief Executive George McGrath; Racehorse Owners Association Executive Assistant Ruth Diver; the Thoroughbred Breeders' Association's Colin Bryce; the Racecourse Association's Raceday Experience and Communications Manager Paul Swain; Racing Welfare's Director Of Welfare Simone Sear; and independent representative Dr. Eleanor Boden.

“There has been progress in racing in recent years towards improving a culture of respect, but it is important that we all acknowledge that there is more to be done,” said Green. “Having been a part of conducting the Code of Conduct consultation across the industry, I am left in no doubt that there is an overwhelming appetite from all quarters to improve the culture of respect and make sure that everybody involved in the sport is supportive of one another. The working party reflects the commitment from everyone to effect meaningful change for the future of racing.”

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Jockey Robbie Dunne Appeals 18-Month Bullying Ban

Jockey Robbie Dunne, last month found guilty of bullying female rider Bryony Frost over a sustained period, has lodged an official appeal with the British Horseracing Authority, reports the Racing Post. A disciplinary panel handed Dunne an 18-month ban for four breaches of rule (J)19, conduct prejudicial to racing; the last three months of the ban were stayed.

“The independent judicial panel has received an appeal from the representatives of Robbie Dunne in relation to the finding and penalty imposed on him by the disciplinary panel after its recent hearing,” reads at statement from the BHA. “The independent judicial panel will now convene an appeal board for the hearing and liaise with representatives of all parties regarding a potential date for the hearing, which will be communicated in due course.”

The chair of the disciplinary panel, Brian Barker, issued the following statement after the decision was handed down in December: “We are unable to accept Mr. Dunne's sweep of denials, criticisms and his reasoning. The tenor and type of language that we find was used towards Ms. Frost is totally unacceptable, whatever the frustrations about her style and whatever the habits of the weighing room. They fall squarely within the ambit of the prohibition set out in the rule.”