Cheltenham storm as Irish jockey Queally alleges 'repeated racial abuse' by De Boinville

"I got repeated racial abuse from Nico de Boinville when I was coming in around the corner and then he called me a f*****g p***k a couple of times in front of the ITV camera," the Waterford amateur said

Irish jockey Declan Queally said he was abused by Nico de Boinville before the start of the Turner's Novices Hurdle on Day 2 at Cheltenham. Pics: ITV

The second day of the Cheltenham Festival was roiled by an abuse storm after Irish amateur jockey Declan Queally accused high-profile British rider Nico de Boinville of racist remarks following an altercation before Wednesday's opening race. 

Queally, who operates a small yard in Waterford with his father Declan Queally Snr, finished fifth on I'll Sort That while De Boinville came home second on Nicky Henderson's Act Of Innocence.

The start of the race, which featured a busy 21 runners, was delayed by a false start. 

"The start was a bit of a mess," Queally told ITV during their post-mortems with the losing jockeys. "Got tracked back further than I wanted to, but it's all right."

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Asked by Matt Chapman how frustrating those false starts can be for riders, Queally revealed more than expected: "Being abused by an English rider, Nico de Boinville, not very nice. I'm an amateur coming over here, riding in front of my kids - horrific."

"Being abused by an English rider, Nico de Boinville is not very nice" 👀

"I'm an amateur, I'm coming over riding in front of my kids. HORRIFIC" 😯

Declan Queally is NOT HAPPY with Nico de Boinville 🗣️ pic.twitter.com/ZooWaL1PDI

— ITV Racing (@itvracing) March 11, 2026

Later on Wednesday evening it emerged that a complaint had been made by Queally regarding "an incident at the start".

The report from the steward's inquiry said: "An inquiry was held into a complaint received from Mr D. Queally regarding an incident at the start. The stewards, having heard the initial evidence from Queally and Nico de Boinville, have adjourned the matter to obtain further evidence."

Quelly told The Racing Post that he face "repeated racial abuse" from De Boinville. 

"I was boxing for my position down the inside and there was a lot of general bunching going on," he told the Post. "It was competitive down there and I got repeated racial abuse from Nico de Boinville when I was coming in around the corner and then he called me a f*****g p***k a couple of times in front of the ITV camera.

"I just didn't talk back to him, thankfully I didn't open my mouth. He tried to single me out as if I was the one causing the hassle. When he was shouting, he was picking on me when trying to hold his position.

"Everyone was at fault and I was just rooting for myself. There was no need for it. None of the other lads would do it because they know you can't just single out an Irish amateur rider like that – it's not fair. It was very unprofessional.

"Jack Kennedy or Paul Townend would know I'm as entitled to be there as much as they are and it's competitive, so they wouldn't single out someone because they're an amateur."

For his part, earlier in the day De Boinville had followed Queally towards the weighing room door and was asked for his take by ITV. 

"A bit frustrated. A few things went against us, but I'm happy in the main," he said. Chapman informed De Boinville that Queally thought the start had been a bit "iffy".

"Maybe he should look in the mirror," said De Boinville.

In footage shown after the race, De Boinville appeared to take issue with Queally taking up a position near the rail at the start. 

"One person has as much right to be there as someone else," said AP McCoy. "Just because whoever you are doesn’t mean to say you should be in there. I don’t think Declan’s done much wrong. I don’t think one person is any more entitled to be there than another.”

Asked about the situation, Ruby Walsh said: "That’s the same Nico de Boinville who rode Jonbon last year and put his head on the tape. Maybe he needs to look in the mirror, too. You need a rolling start.

“I’ve said it for a long time. If they walk in front of a tape and then it moves in front of the horses, you’d have none of this drama.”

The stewards report of the race noted that Queally has lodged a complaint about the incident. Having heard evidence from both jockeys, the stewards adjourned the matter to obtain further evidence.

The report also stated that Queally, Jack Kennedy on Ballyfad, Danny Gilligan on Skylight Hustle, and Darragh O’Keeffe on Walks In June “had not approached the tape at a walk or a jig-jog thereby causing a false start, resulting in a standing start”. Kennedy and Queally were suspended for one day, and Gilligan and O’Keeffe, as it was their second offence in 12 months, for two days.

The race was won by the Paul Townend-ridden and Willie Mullins-trained King Rasko Grey.