JOCKEY Ben Harvey was handed an 11-day ban after his ‘dream win’ – for whipping his 18-1 horse too much.
The Irish amateur star was also fined £400 for using his whip ‘above the permitted level’ on Some Neck at Cheltenham.
Harvey rode the John C McConnell-trained horse to a thrilling last-stride win over 16-1 chance Defi Des Carres in the Glenfarclas Cross Country Handicap Chase yesterday.
It was the horse’s first win since landing a Grade 2 novice chase at Punchestown in November 2018.
But the triumph – which netted owners more than £17,500 – over 3m 6f was overshadowed by the punishment handed out to Harvey.
The steward’s report of the race on the British Horseracing Authority [BHA] website read: “Mr B W Harvey, the rider of the winner, Some Neck, was suspended for 11 days, on dates to be notified to him by the Head Office of the BHA, and fined £400 for using his whip above the permitted level from approaching the final fence.”
Interviewed after the race, Harvey said: “We knew he’d stay well, we knew he’d gallop for the line.
“We missed the second last which wasn’t ideal but he was tough, stuck his head down and he galloped up right to the line.
“To come to Cheltenham… everyone wants to ride here, everyone wants to have a winner here and winning over the banks, the hedges, it’s the ultimate for me.
“This is the dream. This is the ultimate for me. I’m delighted.”
Outgoing BHA chief Nick Rust told ITV this morning the governing body will review the use of the whip in 2021.
However, this is an issue that has been rumbling on for more than two years now.
The BBC reported in December 2018 how chiefs were planning to bring in tougher penalties to stop jockeys using the whip too much.
Rust said a ‘new structure for penalties and deterrents for overuse of the whip’ would be announced in January 2019.
But the issue continues to plague the sport amid critcism from groups such as Animal Aid, who want whipping banned altogether.
Legendary Australian jockey Kerrin McEvoy was hit with a record £27,000 fine for breaking whip rules last month.
McEvoy also copped a 13-meeting ban after his ride on Tiger Moth in the Melbourne Cup.
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