Ryan Moore banned from huge Doncaster race as Jason Weaver slates ‘harsh’ decision
STAR jockey Ryan Moore will miss his chance at winning £118,000 on one of Aidan O’Brien’s star horses following a five-day ban.
Moore copped a five-day forced holiday after the stewards judged him to have chopped off Bellarchi when riding hot favourite Skellet in the Oh So Sharp at Newmarket last week.
His mount drifted in front of Bellarchi, causing that rival to stumble and almost unseat jockey Oli Stammers in a heart-in-the-mouth moment.
ITV’s Jason Weaver, who was covering the card, thought the ban was extremely harsh, saying: “Five days for that is very tough – it’s harsh.”
The decision means that Moore will be unable to ride in the Group 1 Futurity Trophy Stakes at Doncaster on October 28.
That will be a bitter blow for Moore, who was set to partner his boss Aidan O’Brien’s rising star Diego Velazquez.
The even-money ante-post favourite is unbeaten in two starts, last seen winning the Group 2 Champion Juvenile at Leopardstown.
The winner pockets £118,000 for winning at Doncaster and given the market confidence, it’ll be a bitter pill to swallow.
His absence opens the door for several jockeys who will be hoping to take the incredible opportunity.
Remarkably, O’Brien has won 11 runnings of the race, including four of the last six.
Seamie Heffernan, O’Brien’s number two, would be the obvious choice, but there will be plenty of British-based jocks without a ride in the race.
Frankie Dettori is meant to sign off from British racing at Ascot one week earlier, but could O’Brien’s call mean he takes another u-turn?
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