I was hit from behind with a piece of lead, says Crowley
ThE Bha is considering taking further action after the bust-up at Goodwood on sunday that left former champion jockey Jim Crowley needing medical attention and fellow rider Raul da silva banned for 21 days for violent conduct.
Crowley, who is the retained jockey for owner sheik hamdan al Maktoum, broke his silence yesterday and is particularly aggrieved at reported comments attributed to Da silva which portrayed Crowley as the aggressor in an incident which left him with a cut on his face and swollen lip.
Crowley said he had been the victim of an ‘unprovoked attack’ and believed he had been struck from behind with a piece of lead.
The incident took place after the first race at Goodwood where Crowley rode fifth-placed Charles Molson and Da silva Medieval, who finished last of nine.
The 2016 champion jockey said: ‘There was a minor disagreement over a race-riding incident with a number of jockeys not happy with Raul’s riding.
‘after this I was the victim of an unprovoked attack from behind with what felt like a piece of lead and it is disappointing that I have then been accused of being the aggressor.
‘This is categorically untrue and it is notable that after a lengthy enquiry that heard from many witnesses, only one of us was suspended.
‘I have no further comment to make and will leave the matter in the hands of the Bha.’
an inquiry by the Goodwood stewards, which did not conclude until after the last race, took evidence from fellow jockeys, two valets, the clerk of the scales and changing room doorman and racecourse medical officer.
The right to review the incident if further evidence came to light was reserved and this is now being looked at by the Bha.
In a statement, racing’s ruling body said: ‘The Bha has the ability to reopen such cases if it is felt necessary.
‘Before assessing whether such action is required, the Bha would first review the stewards’ inquiry recordings and hold conversations with any appropriate individuals.
‘The Bha will now carry out these procedures before determining how to proceed.’
a 21-day ban for violent conduct is the Bha’s guideline penalty but, if the case were to go before a disciplinary hearing, the panel would have discretion to impose a harsher suspension should it see fit.