Irish amateur rider Declan Queally has accused top British jockey Nico de Boinville of making an abusive comment “of a racial nature” at Cheltenham Festival with BHA stewards investigating
Top British jockey Nico de Boinville has been accused of racially abusing an Irish rival before a race at the Cheltenham Festival.
Amateur rider Declan Queally lodged a complaint with the stewards following an altercation between the two jockeys at the starting line, reports the Racing Post.
De Boinville, who rode Coneygree to Cheltenham Gold Cup success in 2015, could be seen on ITV Racing’s coverage in a heated exchange with Queally. The Irish rider has alleged his weighing-room counterpart “repeated racial” abuse amid a chaotic start to the Turners Novices’ Hurdle.
JOIN US ON FB! Get all the best sports news and much more on our Facebook page
Queally told ITV Racing as he walked over to the weighing room post-race: “Being abused by an English rider, Nico de Boinville, not very nice. I am an amateur, coming over here and riding in front of my kids. Horrific.”
When informed of Queally’s comments about a difficult start to the race, De Boinville responded: “Maybe he should look in the mirror.”
Tempers flared as the riders jostled for position among the 21-runner field which led to the starter declaring two false starts before the runners were allowed to set off.
De Boinville, aboard runner-up Act Of Innocence, was seen shouting at Queally on I’ll Sort That. He then appeared to get agitated, calling for Queally to “get back” and turning his mount to take the spot on the rail that I’ll Sort That was positioned in.
While it was unclear exactly what De Boinville said in the footage, Queally alleged he was subjected to verbal abuse, some of it of a racial nature.
Queally, who received a one-day ban for his ‘misconduct’ at the starting line, told the Racing Post he was “boxing for my position down the inside and there was a lot of general bunching going on.”
And it was then that he alleged Nico de Boinville used
“repeated racial abuse” with it occurring “a couple of times in front of the ITV camera.
“I just didn’t talk back to him, thankfully I didn’t open my mouth. He tried to single me out as if I was the one causing the hassle. When he was shouting, he was picking on me when trying to hold his position.”
The stewards’ report referred to a complaint being made by Queally without expanding on its nature. It read: “An inquiry was held into a complaint received from Mr D.
“Queally regarding an incident at the start. The stewards, having heard the initial evidence from Queally and Nico de Boinville, have adjourned the matter to obtain further evidence.”
Queally was among a handful of riders suspended for their part in the Turners start.
The report added: “The starter reported that Jack Kennedy, the rider of Ballyfad, Mr D. Queally, the rider of I’ll Sort That, Danny Gilligan, the rider of Skylight Hustle, and Darragh O’Keeffe, the rider of Walks In June, had not approached the tape at a walk or a jig-jog thereby causing a false start, resulting in a standing start.
“The riders and the starters were interviewed and shown recordings of the incident. Kennedy and Queally were suspended for one day for misconduct at the start. As it was their second offence in 12 months, Gilligan and O’Keefe were suspended for two days.”