Racing: Pembroke ban reduced following appeal

Connections of Pembroke Square managed to get the horse’s 30-day ban - imposed by the Stratford stewards in November - reduced to 14 days at a hearing of the Jockey Club’s Appeal Board today.

The Jockey Club officials considered an appeal lodged by Paul Ritchens, the trainer, and Jenny Foster, a joint-owner of Pembroke Square, against the decision of the disciplinary committee on November 9 to fine the handler £750 (€1,208) and suspend the gelding from running for 30 days for ‘schooling in public’ after he had come home last of six finishers in a novice chase on November 1.

The disciplinary committee had also found jockey Andrew Thornton to be in breach of Rule 158 and suspended him from riding for five days.

Thornton withdrew his appeal last week as he is currently on the sidelines with a broken arm.

Having considered the submissions of Ritchens, Mrs Foster and the Jockey Club, who were legally represented, and reviewed video recordings of the race, the board was not satisfied that Thornton’s riding of Pembroke Square was a consequence of a failure on his part to comply with the instructions given to him.

Consequently Ritchens was found to be in breach of Rule 155 (ii) and Rule 221 B (i) in the light of Instruction H2 headed ‘Schooling in Public’.

The board therefore dismissed the appeal, confirmed the fine of £750 (€1,208) upon Ritchens but reduced the suspension of Pembroke Square from running from 30 days to 14 days and varying the dates of the suspension to take effect from tomorrow until January 21 inclusive.

The Board ordered the deposit money of Ritchens to be forfeited and made an order as to costs against Ritchens, of £250 (€402) and no order as to costs against Mrs Foster.