The British Horseracing Authority will continue with their investigation over allegations that Nico de Boinville racially abused Declan Queally even though the jockeys appeared to call a truce.
It emerged after racing on Wednesday that Queally had made a complaint to BHA stewards at Cheltenham about de Boinville using racist language during a squabble before The Turners Novices Hurdle.
The situation developed after Queally, who was riding I’ll Sort That, confronted de Boinville, who was on board the eventual runner-up Act Of Innocence, of taking his space before the tapes went up.
Queally was clearly upset but, having had a night to sleep on things, he and de Boinville shook hands for cameras outside the weighing room – though many felt it looked exceptionally awkward.
‘It was just a heat of the moment battle and all is forgiven. Best of luck to Nico in the future,’ Queally told ITV Racing, with De Boinville adding: ‘I appreciate Declan and wish him the best.’
If they thought it would draw a line under the issue, however, they were mistaken. The BHA, having taken statements from de Boinville and Queally, will analyse footage and look to be speak to other jockeys who were in close proximity.
There was an amicable exchange between Nico de Boinville (right) and Declan Queally (left) as they put their explosive racism row to bed on Thursday
The duo held a handshake for a long time for the benefit of the cameras on Thursday
A BHA spokesperson said: ‘When an allegation has been made it must be investigated.
‘The enquiry process has begun, evidence is being gathered and once started, the process needs to be completed. We will continue to gather and consider any relevant evidence as part of this.’
Queally had told ITV as he returned to the weighing room on Tuesday that de Boinville’s behaviour was ‘horrible’ but he went a step further when he spoke to The Racing Post.
He said: ‘It was competitive down there and I got repeated racial abuse from Nico de Boinville when I was coming in around the corner and then he called me a ‘f***ing p***k’ a couple of times in front of the ITV cameras.
‘I just didn’t talk back to him, thankfully I didn’t open my mouth.’
And this morning, De Boinville categorically denied the racism allegation, telling BBC Radio 5 Live: ‘It’s an ongoing investigation, the stewards are gathering all the evidence they can from all the video footage.
‘From my point of view I deny all the allegations against me and I can categorically say there wasn’t any racial slurs or anything like that but yeah… let it play out.’