Tag: Shared News Europe

JDG: Rossis Indicted, Banned From Racing During Investigation

In custody since Tuesday morning, Charley Rossi and his wife Jessica Marcialis; Rossi's brother, Cedric; and their uncle Frederic Rossi, were brought before the investigating judge in Aix-en-Provence, France, Thursday, along with the manager of Frederic Rossi's stable and a veterinarian. The six were indicted and placed under judicial control, according to the Jour de Galop. They emerged from the court Thursday around 4 p.m., and have been forbidden to participate in racing, or to be on the grounds of a racetrack or training center during the indictment, according to a press release from the public prosecutor.

The JDG reported that the indictment for this type of charge could last as long as a year while the investigation continues, and said that in total, the three had approximately 200 horses in training at their Calas training center in Marseille.

The paper ran the following statement from the prosecutor's office: “Following a tip, a preliminary investigation for equine doping and fraud committed by an organized group was handed over to the Service Central des Courses et Jeux (SCCJ) (the central service of racing and gaming), a specialized service of the judicial police in the Aix-en-Provence prosecutors office. The first investigations have allowed them to confirm the information described, including several racehorse trainers and veterinarians. On September 10, 2021, the public prosecutor's office in Aix-en-Provence opened a judicial investigation into the leaders of the group, (who were) administering to the horses substances of a nature to artificially modify their capabilities. The investigation led by the rogatory commission from the racing and gaming police have revealed numerous facts of equine doping and the manipulation of racing as part of a concerted organization. This concerns a large group of around 30 races. An operation carried out in several locations allowed the SCCJ, aided by the South Judicial Police and veterinarians from the national horse racing federation to question a dozen people. This gave rise to the seizure of 10 racehorses as well as funds from the bank accounts of the people in question. At the end of their custody, the examining magistrate in charge of the investigations had decided to refer six people. In accordance with the requirements of prosecution, they were indicted and placed under judicial review, and are forbidden from being present on racetracks and training centers and from exercising any profession related to horse racing.”

The JDG quoted “numerous sources” which reported the “no molecule” of any new or illegal doping agents had been found.

The post JDG: Rossis Indicted, Banned From Racing During Investigation appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

Favourites Handed Low-Stress Draws for Longines HKIR

A total of 43 horses representing Hong Kong, England, Ireland, France and Japan were entered for Sunday's HK$100 million Longines Hong Kong International Meeting at Sha Tin Racecourse, and the luck of the barrier draw–held Thursday morning in the parade ride at the track–was much in favour of the horses that are anticipated to be at the head of the markets in the four events.

For a horse like reigning Hong Kong Horse of the Year Golden Sixty (Aus) (Medaglia d'Oro), who likes to get back and then put his rivals to the sword with a devastating finish, the barrier draw is something of a non-issue. Having drawn seven last year en route to a facile success, his chances were done no harm whatsoever when owner Stanley Chan selected gate two for Sunday's G1 Longines Hong Kong Mile.

“Barrier two is OK–we'll just relax him and wait for the straight, and then we can just let him go,” trainer Francis Lui told the HKJC's Declan Schuster. “He is all ready and we're hoping that luck will come to my team and my owner–and to me too.”

 

 

Similarly, with the gates positioned towards the top of the Sha Tin straight for the G1 Longines Hong Kong Vase (2400m) and with a long run into the first turn, post positions–especially in a compact field–also become less relevant. Defending champion Mogul (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) will have no excuses from gate two, one to the outside of one of the likely pacesetters Reliable Team (NZ) (Reliable Man {GB}), while G1 Coral Coronation Cup hero Pyledriver (GB) (Harbour Watch {Ire}) begins outside that pair in stall three.

Japan's record-making Loves Only You (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) and Lei Papale (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) figure to be strong in the market for the day's richest event, the HK$30 million G1 Longines Hong Kong Cup (2000m). Having drawn four and three, respectively, neither should have much difficulty securing a trip that suits their running styles. The form of the G1 QIPCO Champion S. is represented by Dubai Honour (Ire) (Pride of Dubai {Aus}, gate seven), beaten 3/4 of a length in back of Sealiway (Fr) (Galiway {GB}) and 1 1/2 lengths ahead of Mac Swiney (Ire) (New Approach {Ire}) in third. The latter was assigned post position two, while local hope Panfield (Chi) (Lookin At Lucky) has pole position coming off a disappointing effort in the G2 Jockey Club Cup three weeks ago.

“It's a lovely draw, it gives you options and we're certainly very happy with it, there's a lot worse draws than that–I couldn't be happier,” trainer Tony Millard said of last year's G1 Champions & Chater Cup hero, also a multiple Group 1 winner in his native Chile. “He's been good since that last run, frankly speaking that last run, it was one of those races that you want to forget and we're just looking forward.”

Pixie Knight (Jpn) (Maurice {Jpn}) could go favoured in a wide-open renewal of the G1 Longines Hong Kong Sprint, and will break from post position eight to try to make it two in a row for Japan. Defending champion Danon Smash (Jpn) (Lord Kanaloa {Jpn}) doesn't appear to be in the same sort of form and will leave gate 10 after winning from the riverside draw in 14 last year. Wellington (Aus) (All Too Hard {Aus}) has a chance to go a good race second-up, having finished seventh to Lucky Patch (NZ) (El Roca {Aus}) in the G2 Jockey Club Sprint Nov. 21, but he will have to work out a trip of his own from stall 11.

“In the Sprint you want some draw assistance and we didn't get the draw assistance, but last year's winner was drawn 14 and if [Wellington] is good enough, that's where he comes from,” trainer Richard Gibson told the HKJC's Leo Schlink. “I think he's sharper than he was [last time] and he trialled really well the other day, so he's in good shape.”

The post Favourites Handed Low-Stress Draws for Longines HKIR appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

Malinas Moves to Coolagown Stud

Successful National Hunt stallion Malinas (Ger) (Lomitas {GB}) will moved to Coolagown Stud in County Cork next year in a joint-venture with Rathbarry Stud. A fee for the four-time Group 1-placed G2 Oppenheim-Union-Rennen hero winner will be announced later. At stud to date, the 20-year-old has left Grade 2 winners Black Thunder (Fr), Medinas (Fr), Mister Malarky (GB), Touch The Eden (Fr) and Union Dues (Fr), as well as Scottish Grand National hero Mighty Thunder (GB), Greatwood Handicap Hurdle scorer Harambe (GB) and Grade 1-placed hurdlers Baltazar D'Allier (Fr), Easter Day (Fr) and Tile Tapper (GB).

Coolagown Stud's David Stack commented, “Malinas has proved to be a highly reliable sire of high-class National Hunt horses, whether in bumpers, hurdles or chases, and with such strong books of mares covered at Rathbarry Stud his best days are still ahead of him.”

The post Malinas Moves to Coolagown Stud appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

Dunne Banned For 18 Months For Conduct Towards Frost

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.

The post Dunne Banned For 18 Months For Conduct Towards Frost appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

Verified by MonsterInsights