Jockey Robbie Dunne has been suspended from riding for 18 months, three of which were suspended, for conduct prejudicial to racing for his harassment and bullying of fellow rider Bryony Frost as the British Horseracing Authority Disciplinary Panel handed down their verdict on Thursday morning. Dunne's suspension begins immediately and he has seven days to appeal.
Charged with seven counts in total, Dunne was found in breach of four counts prejudicial to horseracing–rule (J) 19–and three of violent and threatening behavior, with only one charge denied. The three-person panel, chaired by Brian Barker, QC, found the first four to be proven and the latter three are yet to be considered. Most of the incidents took place last year, when Dunne was found by the panel to have threatened Frost by promising to “put her through a wing [of a fence]” in September and he was also accused of using misogynistic language.
“Our conclusion on the whole of the evidence is that a course of deliberate conduct over a significant period of time has been revealed,” said Baker. “This has progressed from distasteful targeting to deliberate harassment on and off the course and onwards to occasional cases of dangerous bullying. We find that the words used on Sept. 3 were, as a promise, to cause real harm–over and above the usual jockey mantra of 'murdering'.
“On the examination of Ms Frost's evidence and demeanour we find her to be truthful, thoughtful and compelling. By taking her complaint to the authority she has broken the code [of the weighing room], knowing that her isolation–and rejection by some–was inevitable.”
“Behind the four elements set out in rule (J) 19 we find those proved.
“We note that you were following a culture that seems to be approved of by your peers and we are particularly conscious that your livelihood will be significantly affected. We have taken particular notice to the medical report, we do understand your suffering at the loss of your best friend [Liam Treadwell].
He added, “There are a combination of factors, in our view, that take this substantially above the entry point. We agree the appropriate approach is to give concurrent sentences, our view is overall that the appropriate sentence is one of 18 months' suspension of licence. We did not consider a financial penalty to be appropriate.”
Frost, who was riding at Warwick on Thursday, said in a statement, “I would like to thank every individual including the racing public that has supported me not only during the last couple of weeks but throughout.
“I wish now to take a few days to reflect on the outcome before I make any further comment. I ask the media to please give me and the people closest to me a few days of privacy. I need to focus on my upcoming rides over the weekend. Thank you.”
The British Horseracing Authority released a statement following the panel's findings. It read in part:
“The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) welcomes the finding of the independent Disciplinary Panel that jockey Robbie Dunne is in breach of four counts of Rule (J)19 and to impose an 18-month suspension upon him.
“In our view this decision, and the comments of the independent Judicial Panel, reflect the seriousness of the accusations. It sends a clear message that conduct of this nature cannot be tolerated in any working environment within our sport. This case has been a ground-breaking one for British racing, the first of its kind, and it is important that it acts as a catalyst for further change within the industry.
“We understand that, for the vast majority of those who work in the sport–and in particular in the jockeys' weighing room–it is a positive, supportive, welcoming place. We recognise the pressures on those involved in the sport, and that temperatures will at times be raised.
“However, there is a line as to what is acceptable. It is essential that when something does go wrong that people feel that they can call out bad behaviour, and not be made to suffer in silence. The independent Judicial Panel Chair voiced concerns regarding these issues in his judgement. We call on everyone in the industry to recognise this.
“By stepping forward to report the behaviour of which she was on the receiving end, Bryony Frost took a courageous step. We hope that others who may be in similar positions will feel comfortable doing the same.
“Nothing is more important than our people and our horses. We must take positive steps across the sport to ensure that British racing is a welcoming place to work for everyone.
“Finally, we recognise that this has been a difficult period for all involved, in particular for Robbie Dunne and Bryony Frost. We ask that the privacy and well-being of both is now respected. It is important that both are now supported by the BHA, their colleagues and their representative body the PJA.”
For the full BHA statement, please click here.
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