A former work-rider has been handed an eight-month ban after repeatedly hitting a horse before a race and then allegedly threatening to knock out a rival and kill his parents.
Adam Howchin, who was working for trainer William Knight, was preparing Sugarloaf Lenny for his run in the 1m2f handicap at Nottingham on August 1, 2024.
Howchin was leading Sugarloaf Lenny around the stable yard when he fell over and proceeded to strike the gelding twice, blaming the horse for tripping him, an independent disciplinary panel heard.
Footage from the track’s CCTV appeared to show Howchin pulling down on the rein before repeatedly using it as a whip on Sugarloaf Lenny’s flank and hind-quarters.
Fred Rimell, son of trainer Mark – who was preparing Tiger Beetle to run in the same race – had witnessed the incident and approached Howchin to question his behaviour. Howchin responded by threatening Rimell in the stable yard, the pre-parade ring and after the race.
Rimell, who was interviewed by the BHA, said Howchin was ‘just whipping him, like almost punching him around the face, smacking him with the excess of the lead rein and trying to use it to whip him behind to go forwards’.
Adam Howchin, who was working for trainer William Knight, was preparing Sugarloaf Lenny for his run in the 1m2f handicap at Nottingham (pictured) on August 1, 2024
Howchin, according to Rimell, responded to his intervention by telling him: ‘You want to be careful, I’m going to knock you out,” before threatening to kill his parents. When Rimell was leaving the stables, Howchin said: ‘You better start running because I’m going to be after you.’
In the pre-parade ring Howchin then reportedly said he would ‘knock the life’ out Rimell, and after the race warned ‘there will be five boys at the gate waiting there for you’.
Comments from Dr Sally Taylor of the BHA’s head of equine regulation, safety and welfare repeated in front of the panel stated that the CCTV had showed Howchin punching upwards with his right hand and had made contact with the left side of Sugarloaf Lenny’s head.
Howchin has been found in breach of rules (J)19 and (J)19a, in that a person must not engage in conduct which is prejudicial to the integrity, proper conduct or good reputation of racing in Britain.
Panel chair Tim Grey said: ‘We have concluded on the balance of probabilities, more likely than not, that he struck the horse a number of times, whether with a clenched fist or with reins, and that he also yanked the lip chain the horse was wearing at the time.
‘We are content that there was clearly a conversation between him and Mr Fred Rimell, which was heated. On the balance of probabilities, Mr Howchin did threaten him and was abusive in his conduct both before and after the race.’
Christina Courquin, representing the BHA, said: ‘The CCTV speaks for itself. The footage clearly shows Mr Howchin repeatedly pulling down hard on the lead rein, jabbing the horse in the mouth, and punching and whipping the horse. The impact on the horse would have been frightening, painful and confusing.
‘Mr Howchin’s actions fell far below what is expected of a stable employee who was charged with the safety, wellbeing and proper care of the horse. Making threats of physical violence to a fellow racing participant also falls woefully below the standards expected.’
Howchin, who was suspended for eight months by the panel and fined £1,500, did not attend the hearing. He no longer works in racing.