De Sousa hit with lengthy whip ban

Champion jockey Silvestre De Sousa has been handed an 18-day suspension by the British Horseracing Authority over his use of the whip, six of which have been deferred.

De Sousa was found guilty of using his whip without giving Swiss Cross time to respond at Lingfield on June 16, with the offence warranting a suspension of between two and six days.

Taking into account it was the rider’s fifth such suspension within the previous six months, the Lingfield stewards referred the matter to the BHA and he has will be banned for 12 days (July 1-13 inclusive when Flat racing takes place) under the ruling body’s totting-up procedures.