Result of an appeal (A Thornton) heard by the Disciplinary Panel on Wednesday 2 March
Andrew Thornton
The Disciplinary Panel of the British Horseracing Authority on Wednesday 2 March 2016 considered an appeal lodged by Andrew Thornton, the rider of BARTON GIFT, the winner of the Bathwick Tyres Bridgwater Handicap Steeple Chase on 20 February 2016, against the decision of the Stewards at Wincanton, to find him in breach of Schedule (B)6 Part 2 of the Rules of Racing in that he had used his whip above the permitted level and to suspend him from riding for 7 days.
The BHA’s case was presented by Lyn Williams. Thornton attended and gave submissions to the Panel. The Panel also viewed recordings of the race.
The Panel found that Thornton had used his whip 14 times throughout the race. The Panel used its discretion to disregard 3 hits bearing in mind the distance over which the whip was used, that the gelding was given a reminder after it made a mistake down the back straight and that the gelding was impeded at the third last when TIKKAPICK (IRE), ridden by Paddy Brennan, fell. The Panel considered Thornton’s submission that the race should be considered as two races due to the fact that the whole complexity of the race had changed after TIKKAPICK (IRE) fell. The Panel did not accept this interpretation.
The Panel dismissed the appeal and confirmed the 7 day suspension on Saturday 5 March 2016 to Friday 11 March 2016 inclusive.
The Panel noted that Thornton had expected his appeal to be heard on Thursday 3 March 2016 and had booked rides at Bangor accordingly, however, due to the unavoidable rescheduling of another case, the BHA had moved the appeal at short notice to be heard today. Taking this into account the Panel ordered that the deposit be returned.
Notes to Editors:
1. The Panel for the enquiry was: William Barlow (Chairman), Edward Dorrell, Ian Stark
