Heffernan lodges appeal against 14-day improper riding ban

Seamus Heffernan has lodged an appeal with the Horseracing Regulatory Authority against the Ascot stewards’ decision to ban him for 14 days for improper riding under the rule covering pacemakers and team tactics.

The Irish jockey was deemed to have interfered with Frankie Dettori’s mount Librettist on the home turn in a controversial race for the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes on Saturday.

Heffernan was aboard Ivan Denisovich, one of three runners from the Aidan O’Brien stable, whose George Washington went on to lift the mile championship in impressive fashion. Librettist, one of two Godolphin representatives, finished sixth.