FORMER champion jockey Seb Sanders has branded British racing a ‘laughing stock’ in the wake of controversy over stewards’ decisi
FORMER champion jockey Seb Sanders has branded British racing a ‘laughing stock’ in the wake of controversy over stewards’ decisions.
Two specific incidents from last weekend have brought British Horseracing Authority suits under fire.


One was Rob Havlin being given a ‘bizarre’ five-day ban for careless riding that was rescinded.
The other was to ban Christophe Soumillon for 12 days for his riding after the post in the Coral-Eclipse – a decision branded ‘ridiculously harsh’ by Sun Racing columnist Matt Chapman.
That was two days fewer than what Paul Hanagan got for cutting across practically the entire field on The Ridler in the Norfolk at Royal Ascot.
Sanders, who jointly claimed the jockey title alongside Jamie Spencer in 2007, said British stewards were supposed to be the best in the world.
But in a passionate speech on Sky Sports Racing, he branded the level ‘absolute rubbish’.
And he said British racing has become a ‘laughing stock’ on the world stage.
Most read in Horse Racing
OFFERS OF THE DAY
William Hill: Bet £10 GET £30 in free bets – CLAIM HERE
Betfair – Bet £10 Get £30 – CLAIM HERE
Paddy Power: Bet £/€20 and get it back as Cash if it Loses – CLAIM HERE
Sky Bet – Bet anything and get £30 in Free Bets – CLAIM HERE
William Hill: 18+. Play Safe. New customers using Promo code H30 only, Min £10/€10 stake, min odds 1/2, free bets paid as 2 x £15/€15, free bets credited after settlement of first qualifying bet, free bets will expire 30 days after the qualifying bet is placed, payment method/player/country restrictions apply. Begambleaware.org
Betfair – Place a min £10 bet on the Sportsbook on odds of min 1/2 (1.5), get £30 in Free Bets. Rewards valid for 30 days. SMS verification required. Only deposits via cards will qualify. T&Cs apply. Please Gamble Responsibly 18+ begambleaware.org
Paddy Power: Bet £/€20 and get it back as Cash if it Loses – New customers only. Place your FIRST bet on any sportsbook market and if it loses we will refund your stake in CASH. Max refund for this offer is £/€20. Only deposits made using Cards or Apple Pay will qualify for this promotion. T&Cs apply. Paddy’s Rewards Club: Get a £/€10 free bet when you place 5x bets of £/€10+. T&Cs apply. 18+ Begambleaware.org
Sky Bet: NEW CUSTOMERS ONLY,FIRST SINGLE & E/W BET ONLY, 5p MINIMUM STAKE, 3 x £10 BET TOKENS. FREE BET STAKES NOT INCLUDED IN RETURNS. FREE BETS EXCLUDE VIRTUALS. FREE BETS ARE NON WITHDRAWABLE. NO FREE BET EXPIRY. ELIGIBILITY RESTRICTIONS AND FURTHER T&CS APPLY. 18+ BEGAMBLEAWARE.ORG
Sanders said: “We had a proper barge up at the weekend and now no one’s going to get done for it.
“It’s nobody’s fault, it was accidental – get my coat, it’s absolute rubbish!
“There was an absolute carve up at the weekend and now nobody’s going to get done. It’s not good enough.”
On Rab Havlin’s ban being rescinded he added: “Are they suspending the stewards? Are they standing down the stipendiaries who were on on the day?
“Are they telling us they’re not doing their job properly?
“We’re meant to be the best in the world and that’s not the best in the world.
“I think we’re a laughing stock at the moment, with what’s been going on.”
FREE BETS GET OVER £2,000 IN SIGN UP OFFERS HERE
Commercial content notice: Taking one of the bookmaker offers featured in this article may result in a payment to The Sun. 18+. T&Cs apply. Begambleaware.org
Remember to gamble responsibly
A responsible gambler is someone who:
- Establishes time and monetary limits before playing
- Only gambles with money they can afford to lose
- Never chases their losses
- Doesn’t gamble if they’re upset, angry or depressed
- Gamcare – www.gamcare.org.uk
- Gamble Aware – www.begambleaware.org
COMMENTS