DUNNE CASE PUTS RACING ON TRIAL
Frost alleges harassment and bullying by her fellow jockey
RACING prides itself on equality...and the sport will hold its breath today.
A disciplinary panel of the British Horseracing Authority will open to hear the case of allegations from Bryony Frost that she has repeatedly been bullied and harassed by fellow rider Robbie Dunne.
Dunne could be banned from race riding for three years if he is found guilty of the claims made by Frost, Britain’s most successful female jump jockey. He has been charged with conduct which the BHA considers
“is prejudicial to the integrity, proper conduct and good reputation of horse racing in Britain by bullying and harassing a fellow licensed jockey” between February 13, 2020 and September 3, 2020.
The panel will consider if Dunne was guilty of acting in a violent or improper manner by verbally abusing and threatening a fellow jockey in three races during 2020. The first allegations surfaced after the pair clashed at Stratford on July 8 followed by Uttoxeter on August 17 and Southwell on September 3.
At Southwell, Dunne was involved in an exchange with Frost after his mount Cillian’s Well was fatally injured after falling.
Details have emerged that Dunne had allegedly complained that Frost had ridden dangerously during the race. Frost and Dunne first exchanged words back in 2017. The inquiry will also focus on Dunne’s conduct in the changing room where he is alleged to have stood naked in front of Frost during their exchanges.
Since the allegations, a second female rider has complained of similar behaviour from a male jockey. Frost became the first female rider to capture last year’s iconic King George VI Chase at Kempton on Frodon and became a recognised face outside the confines of racing circles after her historic victory. Following Frost’s victory, the BHA were first made aware of bullying allegations the rider had received from Dunne. It was the first time a jockey has brought such charges against a fellow rider regarding their behaviour in or out of the saddle. Before the date was fixed for the hearing, details of the BHA investigation had been leaked in a 120page report to a newspaper. A further embarrassment followed when Chris Watts, left, the head of integrity assurance for the BHA, departed from his post two months ago.
This prompted the Professional Jockeys’ Association to call for closure of the case as they feared Dunne would not receive a fair hearing.A three-strong panel will conduct the case that will be chaired by Brian Barker QC. The hearing is expected to take place over six
days.