20-day ban for O'Connell
Michael O’Connell has been banned for 20 days after facing the disciplinary panel of the British Horseracing Authority over his use of the whip.
The conditional jump jockey has been punished following his ride on the Geoff Harker-trained Zaffie Parson when third in the Andersons Butchers North Berwick Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle at Kelso.
O’Connell admitted he was guilty of improper riding and that he used his whip with excessive frequency, excessive force, in the wrong place and causing the mare to be wealed.
O’Connell is suspended from February 9 to February 27 inclusive and will attend the British Racing School for one day on March 20.
