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One was Rob Havlin being given a ‘bizarre’ five-day ban for careless riding that was rescinded.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.
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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On Rab Havlin’s ban being rescinded he added: “Are they suspending the stewards?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.”
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