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Two Jockeys Suspended For Roles In Accident Causing Seven-Horse Spill At Del Mar

Jockeys Jose Valdivia, Jr. and Diego Herrera (apprentice) have each been issued suspensions by the Del Mar stewards, reports the Daily Racing Form, for their roles in an incident that caused a seven-horse spill and resulting “no contest” in last Sunday's seventh race.

Sassy Chasey (Herrera) was racing in third, in between frontrunners Katie's Paradise (Valdivia) to the outside and Scream and Shout along the rail when she appeared to clip the heels of Katie's Paradise and went down, setting off the chain reaction that involved Backtoflash and Cesar Ortega; Whiskey Blue and Kyle Frey; Siena Silk and Emily Ellingwood; Renegade Princess and Tyler Baze; Phoenix Tears and Tiago Pereira; and Corners Up and Juan Espinoza.

Miraculously, there were no serious injuries among jockeys or horses, with four riders going to a local hospital for evaluation before being discharged. Among the seven horses, there were only a few lacerations that required stitches. All were back in their stalls Sunday night.

Valdivia received a 10-day suspension, and Herrera received five days. Herrera's agent, Vince DeGregory, said the apprentice jockey does not plan to appeal. However, Valdivia's agent, Nick Hines, is planning an appeal.

“What can you say?” Hines told DRF. “Ultra-surprised and flabbergasted, to single Jose out when the rider who clipped heels admitted fault. They've made Jose out to be doubly responsible.”

Woodbine Stewards Suspend Jockey Leo Salles Through Dec. 5

Woodbine stewards have issued a 4 1/2-month suspension to jockey Leo Salles for “careless riding” after a trio of safety-related incidents during the first month of racing at the Ontario track. The 27-year-old native of Brazil told the Toronto Sun he won't appeal the ruling, despite believing the punishment is particularly harsh.

“I think I deserve some days, but I just think it was extreme,” Salles told the Sun. “I apologized. I care about my friends (the other jocks). I just think it is part of horse racing. We know this game is dangerous and this could happen to everybody.”

Salles ended the 2020 season at Woodbine with a 45-day suspension for “endangering the health and safety of another jockey and his horse” on Aug. 9, which was shortened due to COVID, jockey Rafael Hernandez' agent Anthony Esposito told the Paulick Report.

On opening day of the 2021 season on June 12, Salles was involved in incidents in back-to-back races. One earned him a three-day penalty for causing interference, while the second instance of interference a race later earned Salles 10 days and sent Hernandez to the hospital with a hairline vertebral fracture.

“There's a fine line between aggressive and careless and he blurs that line,” Esposito said of Salles.

On July 11, Salles' mount was traveling near the rear of the field when he angled out into the path of an oncoming horse, causing rider Keveh Nicholls to be unseated. Stewards issued an immediate suspension on July 11, pending review, and Nicholls resumed riding several days later.

The stewards ruled on July 15 that Salles will be suspended through Dec. 5, the end of Woodbine's 2021 season. After the suspension, Salles said he plans to ply his trade overseas in the Middle East this winter, where he's ridden before, then to hopefully return to Woodbine for the 2022 season. In the meantime, he hopes to find a job galloping in the mornings at Woodbine.

“I had a very nice career outside of North America, racing in over 20 countries. But I love Canada. My daughter is Canadian. I love Woodbine. I love the horses over here. I love how the trainers treat me. Everything just happened so quick,” Salles told the Sun. “I just think my riding style doesn't match with the rules they have up here.”

New York Advances Rule To Prevent Jockey Appeals That ‘Game The System’ At Big Race Meets

The New York State Gaming Commission advanced a new rule proposal this Tuesday which would allow it discretion in requiring jockeys to serve riding violation suspensions at the track at which the violation occurred, reports the Thoroughbred Daily News. The rule is a result of jockeys filing appeals during big race meets, most often at Saratoga, then withdrawing the appeal at the end of that meet, so that they serve suspensions outside the dates of meets with the biggest purses.

The proposed rule, approved unanimously, will now be published in the state lawmaking register before going to a public comment period, and will not be approved in time for this year's Saratoga meet.

NYSGC executive director Robert Williams explained to commissioners prior to the June 29 vote: “The jockey can seek to game the system by requesting a hearing and then withdrawing the request at the conclusion of the meet, serving the suspension during a [different] meet [that] the jockey prefers.

“This tactic has real impact on commission operations, as staffing spends resources in arranging and preparing for a hearing that fails to be conducted.”

Read more at the Thoroughbred Daily News.

The post New York Advances Rule To Prevent Jockey Appeals That ‘Game The System’ At Big Race Meets appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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Irish Regulatory Board Bans Jockey Four Months Over ‘Inappropriate’ Video With Dead Horse

After a Wednesday hearing, the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board issued a four-month ban to jockey Rob James as a result of a video circulated on social media showing the rider sitting atop a dead horse, reports The Irish Sun.

The IHRB said: “The Referrals Committee found Mr. James in breach of Rule 272 (i) in that he acted in a manner which was prejudicial to the integrity, proper conduct and good reputation of horseracing. They imposed a 12 month suspension of his Qualified Riders licence and Handlers Permit with the last eight of this suspended.”

James issued a public apology via The Irish Field after the video first became public.

“I would just like of apologize for my actions which were wholly inappropriate and disrespectful to a lovely 5-year-old mare, who unfortunately suffered a sudden cardiac arrest while at exercise earlier that morning, April 30, 2016,” James said. “To try defending my stupidity at the time would add further insult and hurt to the many loyal people that have supported me during my career. I have caused embarrassment to my employers, my family and most importantly the sport I love.”