A Cheltenham Festival-winning jockey has been banned for 14 days and fined £1,550 after using his whip nine times from the final fence, exceeding the permitted limit
A jockey who won in the Cheltenham Festival has been suspended and fined following a rule violation during the Grand Annual Chase. Charlie Deutsch claimed victory in the race riding Martator, trained by Venetia Williams and owned by Camilla Norton, on Wednesday.
He managed to secure a tight win by a short head from the previous year’s champion, Jazzy Matty. However, a post-race inquiry revealed that Deutsch had used his whip nine times, exceeding the allowed limit by two from the final fence to the finishing post. His seven-day suspension has been extended to 14 days due to the calibre of the race. Deutsch has additionally been penalised £1,550 by the British Horseracing Authority (BHA).
This means he will be absent for the opening two days of the Grand National Festival, scheduled for next month. Two additional jockeys received bans for whip violations during the first two days of the Cheltenham Festival.
JOIN US ON FB! Get all the best sports news and much more on our Facebook page
Conor Stone-Walsh, who triumphed in the Cross Country Chase aboard Final Orders, has been banned for eight days for exceeding the whip limit by one strike when finishing third in the Grand Annual Chase on Break My Soul.
Caoilin Quinn faced punishment for the identical breach in the Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase, where he placed third on Salver. However, his suspension was cut from eight days to four days because he had completed more than 150 rides in the UK since his previous whip infringement.
This follows just days after two jockeys received bans for careless riding at the Cheltenham Festival, with their infractions occurring at the beginning of day four.
Harry Skelton, who boasts over 1,000 victories in the saddle, was aboard Maestro Conti and finished first in the Triumph Hurdle. Patrick Mullins, son of legendary trainer Willie Mullins, guided Apolon De Charnie to second place.
An examination by the stewards following the race’s conclusion found both jockeys had interfered with other horses and riders. Skelton received a three-day suspension, whilst Mullins was handed a two-day ban.
A statement from the stewards read: “An enquiry was held to consider interference approaching the final fence involving MAESTRO CONTI (FR), placed second, ridden by Harry Skelton, and SELMA DE VARY (FR), placed fourth, ridden by P Townend.
“Skelton was suspended for two days for careless riding for allowing his mount to drift right-handed when insufficiently clear resulting SELMA DE VARY (FR) being tightened against the rail with Townend having to switch his mount.
“An enquiry was held to consider interference in the final half furlong involving the winner, APOLON DE CHARNIE (RE), ridden by Mr P W Mullins, and MINELLA STUDY, placed third, ridden by Ryan Mania.
“Mullins was suspended for two days for careless riding for allowing his mount to move right-handed under a left-hand drive for a number of strides without correction, taking MINELLA STUDY off its intended line.”
In other news, champion flat jockey Oisin Murphy has been handed a five-day ban after activating a deferred penalty he initially received in November. He exceeded the allowed whip usage by one whilst riding Caliban to triumph at Southwell earlier this week.