Devastated Turner faces ban for placing bets

HAYLEY TURNER has said she is ‘devastated and embarrassed’ to be facing the prospect of a suspension after breaching BHA rules prohibiting licenced jockeys betting. According to a statement issued on the behalf of Britain’s most successful female Flat jockey, Turner opened an online betting account after she retired in November 2015. The 34-year-old, who has also been working as a pundit on ITV, subsequently took part in some invitational events and renewed her licence to ride in warm-up events. This summer, Turner (right) announced she would ride in France over the winter to take advantage of the new rule to grant female jockeys a weight allowance. A jockey can be banned for 18 months for betting offences, but such a sanction is unlikely in this case. The hearing is a week today. Paul Struthers, chief executive of the Professional Jockeys Association, said: ‘Even though Hayley no longer saw herself as a jockey, and placed no bets while actively riding, she did place bets while holding a licence which technically placed her in breach of the rules, something Hayley entirely accepts. There were 164 bets over 18 months, with an average stake of £18.62, which generated a total profit of £160. ‘Hayley has co-operated with the BHA and has been transparent and honest. The BHA has confirmed to Hayley’s representatives that beyond the rule breaches, it has no integrity concerns over the bets or Hayley herself. ‘Hayley is absolutely devastated at her mistake and deeply embarrassed and sorry for it.’

TOAST OF NEW YORK, the 2014 Breeders’ Cup Classic runner-up, won at Lingfield yesterday after almost three years off the track. The six-yearold, who had a tendon injury, could target the £12million Pegasus World Invitational in Florida in January and the Dubai World Cup in March.