Horse racing is a sport that is popular in many countries. Racecourses exist in many locations, and spectators attend for a day out. Bettors also place wagers on the various events, hoping for a nice win. The vast majority of people don’t think anything beyond that. It’s a basic sports event to enjoy and sometimes have a punt on the races. Yet, there are certain rules and conditions that the events need to follow. This pertains to jockeys as well.

The rules are the same for jockeys throughout. This is regardless of if a race is occurring at Ascot or Cheltenham. What happens if a jockey commits a breach of the rules? What sort of punishment must they face? Well, this all depends upon the type of rule breaking that takes place.

Different rules have different severities, of course. This is especially true in light of the new rules coming to light on whip usage in races as well. Here, we will look at the penalties suffered by jockeys for breaking the rules. We’ll uncover what rules are in place and what happens to anyone breaching them.

Official Rulings by the British Horseracing Authority

When looking at rule breaking, it is important to refer to official documentation. The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) is the power when it comes to this. Different bodies determine different offences.

There are certain offences considered by Racecourse Stewards. At the same time, the Disciplinary Panel is able to consider some offences. Below, you can see what each of these bodies can enforce.

Considerations by Racecourse Stewards

1. Any one or more of the following penalties:

• Fine – not exceeding $15,000.
• Suspend a rider from riding for any period up to and including 42 days.
• Suspend a horse from running for a period of 40 days if a finding of a breach of Rule(B)59.2 and Rule (C)45.4.3 is made.
• Refer any possible breach to the BHA.

1. A list of common offences and the penalties recommended are viewable below, as set out by the BHA. Penalties come in ‘Bands’ determining different levels of penalties.

In relation to band E penalties, these are either a single fixed sum or an “Entry Point” in a range.

1. When determining if an offence is a second or further offence, a rolling 12-month period applies. Exceptions of 24 months apply to rules: (A)32, (B)59.2 (Sub: b)) and (C)45. On a second offence within 12 months, the fine/suspension should be at least double that of the first offence.
2. Any previous offences from the last 12 months should come into account.
3. Amateur riders and apprentices come under the same heading as full jockeys. Thus, their treatment is exactly the same.

Considerations by the Disciplinary Panel

1. Under Chapter (A) 2 of the Rules of Racing, the panel can impose any of the following penalties:

• A fine not exceeding £75,000.
• Disqualify a person.
• Withdraw or suspend a licence or permit and defer a suspension (not for more than 6 months).
• Make any person ineligible for any licence or permit or registration.
• Issue a caution.
• In the case of a jockey, order attendance at a course in remedial training at the British Racing School or Northern Racing College.

1. When deciding an appropriate penalty, the panel should deliberate at “Entry Point”. This should be clear and highlighted. They should also take account of mitigating factors or aggravating factors. This should reduce or increase the sanction, as necessary.
2. The panel should consider whether to reduce the penalty in recognition of the person’s conduct. They can reduce the penalty by as much as one half if they have co-operated. They can reduce the penalty by up to one third if the person admits the charge.
3. The panel will not usually consider a previous decision to be helpful or relevant for their penalty.
4. The panel should have regard to the current guideline at the date of its decision on penalty.
5. In the case of a suspension, it could make the person ineligible for alternative involvement as a racing participant. The panel should consider this beforehand.

What Offences Can a Jockey Commit That Are Punishable?

You may be wondering exactly how a jockey can commit an offence in horse races. As it happens, there are several instances where a rider can be the cause of a rule breach. The BHA has a list of recommended penalties that are guidelines to follow. Some you can see in the table above, as well as the group enforcing such penalties.

Many more rule breaches and penalties are visible in the BHA guide. There is the potential for all breaches to have taken place at least once. Yet it is more likely that only a few riders have broken them. It’s also the possibility that some jockeys have done so without knowing it. So many rules exist that not a single person could remember all of them by heart.

Punishments In The UK & Abroad

Even though it may not be as well-known, riders do receive punishments. This may actually occur more often than you think, too.

In July of 2022, it came to light that a jockey suffered a ban for fighting. The former wrestler, Nik Juarez, was almost killed during a race. His rival in that incident ended up in a fight with him. Juarez was partaking in a race at Monmouth Park in the United States when the incident occurred.

It seemed as though Paco Lopez’s horse cut off Juarez’s ride during the race. This took place on the final corner as the field were coming in to the home run. Officials labelled the move as ‘dangerous’ after Juarez jolted on his horse. The near disaster moment didn’t sit well with Juarez. As a result, he decided to take matters into his own hands post-race. Reports suggest a scuffle broke out between the two riders. Authorities handed Juarez an eight-day ban and a £422 fine. Lopez received a lesser penalty of a five-day ban for his actions.

Yet many racing fans believe that Lopez should have had the bigger punishment. It’s also not the first time that Lopez went face-to-face with someone for his actions. In March 2021, he received three punches from jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. This occurred after another controversial move from Lopez on the track. Ortiz Jr received a £717 fine for the fight.

Later on in 2022, Belgian jockey Christophe Soumillon also received a ban. He is one of the sport’s most successful jockeys, but still got a 60-day ban in September. This came about following an extraordinary occurrence at Saint-Cloud in Paris. In the stunning incident, Soumillon elbowed fellow jockey Rossa Ryan off his saddle.

The Irish rider was racing on Captain Wierzba in a juvenile contest over a mile. Soumillon moved his mount, Syros, to the right. As he did, his elbow met with Ryan, sending him to the ground with three somersaults. Syros finished the race in second place but ended up disqualified by stewards.

In another recent story, a top jockey was both banned and received a fine in November 2022. Despite making millions racing, Aussie Noel Callow failed to declare betting accounts. As a result, he received a fine of £2,500 and a ban from riding for three months. He had placed wagers on horses of more than £2,000 in a single week.

He made a profit of £672 on his sports bets, although he wasn’t competing in any of those races. He pleaded guilty to six betting-related charges at a Victorian Racing Tribunal. On three separate occasions, he did not declare his betting accounts to stewards. For each of those instances, he received a fine of £840. Another three months of his ban was also suspended for one year. This came about after discoveries that he had made misleading statements to stewards. His sports wagers were actually placed in December 2013 – nine years ago.

And a final instance of a jockey receiving a fine also comes from November of 2022. This penalty surrounds Australian rider Patrick Moloney. He came second in the Melbourne Cup, although his joy at that finish didn’t last long. Instead, authorities issued him with a $20,000 (£11,500) fine for “careless riding”. His breach of the rules took place in the run to the line at Flemington.

Moloney was on the back of the horse Emissary, which won the Geelong Cup. Yet he was unable to secure the first-place win, trailing behind Gold Trip. Of the $1.1 million (£634,000) prize money, Moloney was to pocket $55,000 (£31,500). Racing stewards charged over to him in the aftermath, though. They explained that due to a tussle with Duais, which finished 18th, he would suffer the fine.

One Moloney viewed the replays, he pleaded guilty to the charge. It was clear to see that he shifted to run clear of Duais. That caused an issue for several other runners in the event. Three horses had to go through checks leading up to the final straight, earning the hoop penalty. As well as the financial charge, Moloney suffered a suspension from the next 15 meetings.

At the same event, a second jockey in Daniel Moor suffered a penalty. He came sixth in the race, but officials noticed excessive use of his whip. This led to him receiving a seven-meet ban and a fine of $2,000 (£1,150).

As you can see, fines aren’t so irregular in the world of horse racing. Neither are bans from proceeding race meetings. Various others occurred in 2022 and even back into 2021 and so on. It’s not only riders that can receive such punishments, either. Trainers are also capable of being on the receiving end of the authorities for rule breaches.