Trainer pleads with trolls to stop abusing jockey after astonishing mid-race blunder
A TOP horse trainer has pleaded with trolls to stop abusing his star jockey after she picked up a big ban for an astonishing mid-race blunder.
Charlotte Jones has been hit with a 15-day suspension for riding a finish a circuit early at Cartmel.
Jones, who rides for local trainer Jimmy Moffat, went for home on 16-1 Moonlight Spirit.
She powered clear but had to rejoin the pack upon realising her mistake in a 3m1½f handicap hurdle last Sunday.
Things went from bad to worse when she clipped heels with The Bobby Dazzler when shuffling back in.
Moonlight Spirit didn’t even finish the race because Jones pulled up the seven-year-old gelding.
Stewards were quick to punish Jones and gave her 12 days for going for home early with an extra three for careless riding.
Her ban was three times the amount trailblazing superstar Rachael Blackmore recently got for the same rules breach.
Jones has previously been the punters’ darling with some amazing wins – including one of the best ever on The Steward.
Even former Love Island star and ITV Racing presenter Chris Hughes was blown away by that one.
But Moffatt was forced to defend his rider after the incident on Moonlight Spirit.
He told the Racing Post: “She’s gutted as she’s riding out of her skin at the moment.
“People make mistakes, we are all human. We get so much abuse online and you just have to have thick skin.
“Nobody goes through life without making mistakes and it’s about time the BHA starts backing the participants within this sport rather than worrying about what the betting industry wants or how it will affect them.
“This sport is about horses and people, she rides a winner and she gets applause and then she gets beaten on a favourite and it’s abuse.
“It’s a constant cycle, you try and close off to all the abuse on social media and she will no doubt get a load more after this.”
Punters were quick to highlight the difference between Jones’ ban and Blackmore’s, even though the English rider got some additional days for careless riding.
Stewards in Ireland originally didn’t ban Blackmore after she went for home a circuit early at Kilbeggan earlier this month.
But an investigation was launched into her ride aboard Lady Rita and she was eventually given five days.