Six-month suspension for Cosgrave
The 31-year-old from Banbridge, Co Down was aboard third-placed Anaerobio in the Group One Jebel Hatta at Meydan on March 8.
Cosgrave set a slow pace on the 20-1 outsider, just in front of eventual winner Vercingetorix, who is also trained by Mike de Kock, and could be seen looking around to the stablemate before appearing to move wide on the home straight.
The penalty has been back-dated to start on March 17 and is due to finish at midnight on September 17.
The ban could stand in racing authorities worldwide.
Paul Struthers, chief executive of the Professional Jockeys Association said: “I’ve spoken to Pat and we are taking advice on his behalf with the view to a possible appeal.”
Meanwhile, another controversial low-grade Southwell event involving the prolific all-weather performer Stand Guard will be the subject of further British Horseracing Authority inquiries.
John Butler’s gelding was withdrawn with a self-certificate, which stated he had “not eaten up”, before the Coral Mobile “Just Three Clicks To Bet” Selling Stakes.
It left the Neil Mulholland-trained Mr Burbidge to be sent off the 1-10 favourite and obliged by nine lengths.
Stand Guard set a new record of 26 wins on the all-weather when landing a seller at the Nottinghamshire course on March 6 when four of his five rivals were withdrawn.
He went off a 1-7 favourite after trading at odds-against before his opposition fell apart, which could potentially allow punters with an early price to take advantage of the Rule 4 system concerning deductions for non-runners.
It was a similar affair when he won at 1-80 on January 28, when market rival La Estrella came out close to the off.
Stand Guard and Mr Burbidge were by some way the best two horses in the field of six, and the race sponsors had decided not to offer any morning prices.
