THIS is the harmless celebration that cost a ‘pi**ed off’ jockey £2300 after being fined by killjoy stewards.
Furious punters blasted the ‘stupid’ punishment handed out to top rider Brenton Avdulla.
He was celebrating yards from the post after blazing a trail on Fireburn in the Sires’ Produce Stakes at Royal Randwick in Australia on Saturday.
Left behind was She’s Extreme and jockey Tommy Berry.
Avdulla revealed his brilliant celebration, where he waved his arm backwards urging his beaten rival to try to keep up, came after he was left ‘pi**ed off’ by a trainer’s comments.
Fireburn won the Golden Slipper – the world’s richest race for two-year-olds last month.
But She’s Extreme’s trainer Anthony Cummings insisted his horse should have won.
Cue rage from Avdulla, who went into last Saturday’s race determined to prove Cummings wrong.
He did just that and showed how much the £373,387 victory meant to him with a celebration that punters loved – but stewards hated.
Bosses dished out a £2300 fine under the ‘celebratory gesture rule’ in Australian racing.
Explaining his actions, the jockey, who also copped a £285 fine for removing his helmet as he returned to weigh in, said: “I wasn’t going to do it, but it pi**ed me off during the week when Anthony said She’s Extreme should have won the Slipper.
“I love Anthony, but I thought he was pulling a few people’s legs there.
“I just made sure they knew she was the better filly on the day.”
Punters couldn’t believe Avdulla was fined for the brilliant gesture.
One said: “Brenton, thank you for having a personality. Yours sincerely, the entire racing community.”
Another commented: “Best pic ever! Can see it being used as a promo pic for years to come. Sorry the fun police got you for it.”
A fellow Twitter user wrote: “Racing needs more of what you did!”
Another comment read: “Well done. Loved the celebration you cheeky b***ard.”
Speaking of victory, Fireburn’s trainer Gary Portelli said: “I was so confident (she’d win) it was ridiculous.
“It was a Group 1 race and I shouldn’t feel like that.
“She’s got a big motor and these horses come round once in a lifetime.”
