Nine jockeys banned after void race at Wetherby

In a week when jockeys have been under intense scrutiny for their use of the whip, there was further bad publicity for their profession on Wednesday when nine riders, including 16-times champion AP McCoy, were given 10-day suspensions at Wetherby.

During the first circuit of the 12-runner, two-mile Betfair Supports Spinal Research Handicap Hurdle, Ashburton Lad unfortunately broke a leg and was pulled up by Campbell Gillies after the first flight in the home straight.

When the field approached the home straight on their second circuit, confusion reigned. A course official could be seen on the track waving a yellow flag, which denotes the race should be stopped and all riders must pull up their mounts.

However, nine jockeys carried on, jumped the first flight in the home straight and passed the medical team that were attending Ashburton Lad behind screens, before continuing with the race. Cunning Clarets, ­ridden by Brian Hughes, was first past the post ahead of Kings Counsel and Red Skipper.

Punters and bookmakers, both on track and around the country, were left in the dark as to what was ­happening after it took the Wetherby stewards 35 minutes to declare the race void.

The offending riders – Hughes, McCoy, Graham Lee, Danny Cook, Denis O’Regan, Alex Voy, Jonathon Bewley, Paddy Brennan and Brian Toomey – will be sidelined between Oct 26 and Nov 4. The major events they will miss are the Charlie Hall Chase meeting back at Wetherby and the Tote Haldon Gold Cup at Exeter.