Canadian jockey Chantal Sutherland received a four-day suspension for a whip rule infraction while riding in an international team event at Ascot, England, on Saturday. The suspension, which is to be served August 25-28, could jeopardize her chance to ride Game On Dude in the $1 million TVG Pacific Classic on August 26th.
In addition to Sutherland, Cristian Demuro of Italy and Yutaka Take of Japan, also received suspensions.
Kieran Fallon, the captain of the Great Britain and Ireland squad in the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup competition, defended Sutherland to The National newspaper in England. “It’s sad, really,” Fallon was quoted as saying. “All Chantal was doing was giving a couple of little taps. Riders tap the horses to encourage them. It is not as if they are hurting the horses. It should have been overlooked for today. They are foreign riders who are not used to our (rules).”
In suspensions incurred in the US, for example, riders have the option of appealing and postponing the suspension period. There is also a “designated race” rule, which permits suspended riders to participate in certain major events. The TVG Pacific Classic to be held at Del Mar is such a race.
It is not clear, however, whether this option will be available to Sutherland or whether her suspension will be upheld.
~ with files from The Paulick Report
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