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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.”

Champion Oisin Murphy Returns From Suspension at Lingfield

Champion jockey Oisin Murphy, who has been serving a three-month suspension, returns to the saddle at Lingfield on Friday. The two-time champion jockey and retained rider for Qatar Racing was banned by France Galop stewards following a positive test this past summer for cocaine metabolites. Throughout the investigation, Murphy denied taking cocaine. A France Galop hearing accepted Murphy's hair sample results and his testimony regarding unintentional environmental contamination. His three mounts over the Lingfield polytrack on Friday are: Saeed Manana and trainer James Tate's Rain Gauge (Ire) (Zoffany {Ire}) in the 1:30 p.m. one-mile novice stakes and that duo's Sky Commander (Ire) (War Command) in the 2:05 p.m. seven-furlong handicap. He Can Dance (Ire) (Es Que Love {Ire}) rounds out the trio in the 2:40 p.m. seven-furlong handicap for owner/trainer Sylvester Kirk.

The post Champion Oisin Murphy Returns From Suspension at Lingfield appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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Arnaldo Bocachica Rides 2,000th Winner, Voted Jockey of The Week

The perennial leading rider at Charles Town, Arnaldo Bocachica, won his final race on March 6 aboard Never Compromise to reach an even 2,000 wins in his career and earn Jockey of the Week honors for March 1 through March 7. The award, 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 950 active riders in the United States as well as retired and permanently disabled jockeys.

The personable, quiet, hard-working journeyman jockey has led the jockey standings at Charles Town in both wins and purse earnings the last three years. He currently leads the meet with 52 wins and $788,326 in earnings. He rides first call on many of leading Charles Town trainer Jeff Runco's starters.

“A big congratulations to my main man Arnaldo Bocachica and his agent Billy Kennedy on his 2,000th win,” said Runco on Twitter.

“Thank you boss for the support over the years,” Bocachica replied. “I'm grateful to be part of the Runco team.”

Bocachica's weekly stats included 10 wins from 23 mounts for a 43.4% win percentage and 78% in-the-money percentage. He tied for second with number of wins for the week. His total purse earnings were $154,113.

Bocachica out-polled fellow riders apprentice Alexis Centeno who won his first graded race, Jose Ferrer who won the Gr. II Tampa Bay Derby, Irad Ortiz, Jr. who won the most races for the week with 14, and Joel Rosario who won the Gr. I Santa Anita Handicap.

The post Arnaldo Bocachica Rides 2,000th Winner, Voted Jockey of The Week appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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Velazquez Plans To Appeal Three-Day Suspension Issued By California Stewards

Hall of Fame jockey John Velazquez will appeal the three-day suspension he was issued by stewards in Southern California, his agent, Ron Anderson, told Horse Racing Nation.

Velazquez' suspension was due to his ride in Santa Anita's 11th race on Saturday, in which his mount, favorite Following Sea, was disqualified from second to third for interference.

The dates of his suspension are scheduled for March 14, 19, and 20.

“We would miss the races at the Fair Grounds, of which there's eight stakes — he rides a horse called Proxy for a million dollars (Louisiana Derby),” Anderson told HRN. “If we do ride that day, we would have to give another day back, which would be Florida Derby day (March 28). So we can't really do that. So the circumstances of all this were just to appeal.”