JOCKEY Jordan Williams has been handed a 16-day and his 78-year-old grandfather trainer a fine for breaching racing rules.
Bernard Llewellyn said it was ’embarrassing’ to be slapped with the £2,750 fine following his grandson’s controversial ride last month.
Williams was deemed to have broken racing’s non-trier rules at Ffos Las.
That meant his granddad was handed his first fine in a 36-year career in racing, report The Guardian.
Llewellyn, whose stable is in Merthyr Tydfil in Wales, said after a disciplinary meeting: “I feel it’s a blot on my character, after being a magistrate for 30-odd years and judging other people.
“It’s a little bit embarrassing. But there we are, we’ve got to accept it, haven’t we?”
A disciplinary panel ruled Williams had given a ‘schooling’ ride to Triple Nickle at the Welsh racecourse in November.
The 100-1 shot finished sixth but barrister Louis Weston, acting for the British Horseracing Authority, likened the ride to ‘show jumping’.
He argued the horse was not asked for any real effort until after the final hurdle by which time the chance to win the race had gone.
Weston said: “This is not show jumping. The purpose is not to get a clear round.”
The panel ruled Llewellyn had failed to give adequate instructions to the jockey.
But a ‘good character’ reference was accepted and Llewellyn’s fine was cut from the £3,500 imposed by stewards.
Llewellyn added: “I’m disappointed with the outcome. The horse went to the races to do her best but they didn’t see it that way.”
Did you miss our previous article…
https://www.sportingexcitement.com/horse-racing/mister-fisher-impresses-in-peterborough-chase-at-cheltenham-while-quirky-storm-control-continues-progress
