Jockey Davy Russell 's caution a ‘sufficient deterrent’ – Turf Club chief

- Turf Club chief executive Denis Egan said on Saturday Davy Russell had been given a “sufficient deterrent” after the jump jockey escaped with a caution for an incident in which he punched a horse on the head.

According to Egan, the twotime Irish champion jump jockey expressed genuine remorse and said he would not be repeating the offence as he was found guilty by a stewards’ panel of bringing the sport into disrepute.

Russell was called to a Turf Club referrals committee inquiry held before racing at Killarney to explain his actions at Tramore on 18 August when video emerged of his striking Kings Dolly on the head with his fist before the start of a mares’ handicap hurdle.

He represented himself at the hearing, in which he was charged with breaching rule 272(i), which relates to “conduct or behaviour . . . which is prejudicial to the integrity, proper conduct or good reputation of horse racing”.

Shay Quinn, who presented the case for the Turf Club, said: “Davy

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was found in breach of rule 272, which is acting in a prejudicial manner to the proper conduct and integrity of horseracing. The panel considered his record in coming to their decision and cautioned him concerning his future responsibilities in this regard.”

The incident was not picked up by officials until a video was widely circulated on social media, provoking widespread condemnation.

It revealed Kings Dolly approaching the ‘show’ hurdle – an obstacle riders show their horses before the race – at speed, coming to an abrupt halt that lifted Russell briefly out of the saddle. Russell then appeared to strike the horse on the back of the head with his right fist.

Egan said: “The panel have plenty of discretion as to what sort of a penalty they could issue. In this case based on the evidence that was given, they felt a caution was the appropriate penalty.

“Davy was genuinely remorseful – he’s a very sympathetic horseman, as we all know, and he came across in that manner, and with remorse, at the hearing.

“I think a caution is a sufficient deterrent because I think the next time somebody comes in the circumstances may be different – every case is looked at on its merits – and the stewards/referrals committee have complete discretion as to what penalty should be issued.

“The penalty they impose will always fit the crime, in their view, and we had a very experienced committee in there this morning and their view was that a caution was an appropriate penalty.”

Egan conceded the incident could have been dealt with quicker, but added: “We had a number of things to do before we actually dealt with the case.

“The video was obviously the key piece of evidence, but we also spoke to the trainer of the horse, Roger McGrath, who confirmed there were absolutely no ill-effects on the mare, as well as Davy.

“I do appreciate the vacuum gave an opportunity for the problem to get bigger and bigger, but hopefully it’s been dealt with fairly. The most important thing is that Davy has learned his lesson and I don’t think he will do anything similar again.”

Egan said that, during a 25 minute hearing, Russell had given “very fair evidence”. “He set out what had happened on the way down to the hurdle, which was that he felt his horse was not paying attention,” he said.

“He said if he’d have his life to live over again he’d have let the horse jump the hurdle and deal with the consequences of that.

“He said he couldn’t use his whip because that would also have been a breach of the rules, so to get the horse to concentrate he did what he did, which was strike the horse on the soft part just behind the head with his fist – and he actually had his whip in his hand when he did that.

“He accepted he was totally wrong and was very remorseful for what he did. I have absolutely no doubt he won’t do it again.” –