Caught on Camera
Australian jockey Alice Lindsay, 30, has been handed a ban after she was caught on TV footage whipping a rival horse over the head. The incident, deemed "improper riding," occurred during a race Down Under.
What the Footage Revealed
As the race reached the home bend, Lindsay, riding Ultron, came close to rival horse Valkur. In the video, Lindsay can be seen raising her right arm and cracking Valkur over the head. Despite leading at the time, Lindsay and Ultron finished runner-up in the contest at Naracoorte.
Official Ruling
The Racing SA stewards' report stated that Lindsay was questioned about her riding, specifically her use of the whip near the 200m mark. After considering her explanation, stewards found Lindsay guilty of improper riding. The report described her actions as drawing the whip in her right hand, in an action inconsistent with her normal use of the whip, resulting in Valkur being struck near the head.
Banned from Racing
Lindsay has been banned from racing for eight meetings as a result of the incident.
Recovering from a Terrible Fall
This is not the first setback Lindsay has faced in her career. In 2020, she suffered a terrible fall that left her with a broken nose and injuries to her head, back, and hand. Her horse, Jomera, sadly lost its life in the accident. Lindsay was knocked unconscious for around 15 to 20 minutes and broke her thoracic spine. Despite the severity of the injuries, she was able to avoid surgery and wore a back brace to aid her recovery.
Looking Ahead
This ban comes as another obstacle in Lindsay's journey, but she remains determined to bounce back and continue her racing career. It remains to be seen how she will approach her return to the track.
