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Results of an appeal (B Hughes) and enquiries (R Dunne, J Rait-Rattray, A Berry, D Bridgwater) heard by the Disciplinary Panel on 30 July

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Brian Hughes

  1. On 30 July 2015, the Disciplinary Panel of the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) considered an appeal lodged by Brian Hughes, the rider of ENDEAVOUR, placed second in the Global Radio Handicap Hurdle Race, against the decision of the Stewards at Cartmel on 20 July 2015 to find him guilty of improper riding and to suspend him from riding for 6 days. The Stewards had found that Hughes had intentionally tried to prevent MORNING WITH IVAN (IRE), placed third, ridden by Henry Brooke, from getting a run up his inside thereby causing interference.
  2. As always, the Disciplinary Panel approached this appeal as a re-hearing. The BHA’s position was represented by Lyn Williams, with evidence given by Brooke. Hughes, who also gave evidence, was represented by Rory Mac Neice.
  3. The Panel accepted that turning in to the final straight Brooke had nowhere to go, with Hughes on his outside and ARDESIA (IRE), ridden by Jonathan England, on the eventual winner, in front of him.
  4. The Panel found that inside the final furlong there was contact between ENDEAVOUR and MORNING WITH IVAN (IRE), but that such contact was accidental.
  5. Hughes told the Panel that thereafter he took steps to ensure his horse ran straight and did not hang to the right as it had in a recent race, and was attempting to do so in this race. He said he was successful in keeping his horse straight, and maintained that there was never a sufficient gap for Brooke to attempt to go between himself and England. Hughes said that he had never, intentionally or carelessly interfered with Brooke.
  6. The Panel, having viewed the video recordings of the race and hearing from the witnesses, Hughes and Brooke, were unconvinced that the horse was hanging right down the home straight. The Panel found that during the run in, Hughes did intentionally interfere with Brooke, by steering ENDEAVOUR to the left and using his whip in his right hand, so as to ensure that MORNING WITH IVAN (IRE) could not attempt a run up his inner.
  7. The Panel considered that by such improper riding, Hughes caused increased interference to Brooke and therefore dismissed Hughes’ appeal and confirmed the suspension of 6 days on Wednesday 12, Thursday 13, Saturday 15, Sunday 16, Wednesday 19 and Thursday 20 August 2015. The Panel also considered that the appeal was at least arguable and therefore returned the deposit.

Thursday, 30 July 2015