Jockey Jim Crowley has been hit with a 20-day suspension and £10,000 fine (about US$12,780) for using his whip three times above the permitted six-strike limit in Saturday's Group 1 King George VI & Queen Elizabeth QIPCO Stakes at Ascot Racecourse, according to the British Horseracing Authority's Whip Review Committee decision released Aug. 1.
Crowley won the contest by a head aboard Hukum, defeating Westover and jockey Rob Hornby on the line. after battling head-and-head from a quarter mile out.
Hornby was also found to have used his whip once above the permitted level, and was suspended for four days.
“Neither me or Rob had any idea we had gone over the count, which is the worrying thing,” Crowley told racingpost.com prior to the announcement of the penalty. “We got back to the stewards' room and got a tap on the shoulder, and straight away that feeling of dread came over you.
“We're aware of the whip rules and the severity of them, and it's in your mind, but you're also keeping control of your horse's momentum, rhythm and avoiding interference.
“The rules are the rules and we accept that but I don't think my punishment is going to fit the crime and it will be tough to swallow. It was a mistake we went over but neither of us went out there with a win at all costs mentality.”
The suspension for Crowley will run Aug. 15-21, and Aug. 23-Sept. 4.
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