Results of enquiries (Sam Thomas/Joseph Palmowski and Marco Botti) heard by the Disciplinary Panel on Thursday 26 November
Sam Thomas and Joseph Palmowski
The Disciplinary Panel of the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) held an enquiry on 26 November 2015 to consider whether or not Sam Thomas and Joseph Palmowski had committed a breach of Rule (A)31.1.1 of the Rules of Racing, in that, having agreed under the terms of their licence to attend a mandatory training seminar for professional jockeys if one was held during the period of their licence, they failed to attend one of the Jump Jockeys’ Seminars that were held on 17 September 2015 and 14 October 2015.
The Panel noted that every full Jump jockey and every 3lb & 5lb Conditional jockey had been written to by the BHA on 18 June 2015 informing them of the dates and venues of the seminars and a further letter was sent on 11 August 2015 giving timings and confirming venues, asking them to indicate their preference. A notice and two further reminders regarding the seminars were published in the PJA newsletter in July 2015, August 2015 and September 2015.
Having considered the evidence the Panel found Thomas and Palmowski to be in breach of Rule (A)31.1.1 and suspended each of them from riding for five days from Friday 4 December 2015 until Tuesday 8 December 2015 inclusive.
Marco Botti
The Disciplinary Panel of the BHA held an enquiry on 26 November 2015 to consider whether or not Marco Botti, a licensed trainer, had committed a breach of Rule (C)17 of the Rules of Racing, in respect of his failure to notify the Racing Calendar Office, by noon five days before the horse’s next run, that SAMMY’S WARRIOR had been gelded.
The Panel noted that SAMMY’S WARRIOR had run in and been claimed out of a Claiming Race at Redcar on 3 November 2015. The fact that the gelding was still incorrectly described could have caused further complications, however, as there was only one claimant for SAMMY’S WARRIOR, Botti was able to take the horse back and agree to cover all the premiums payable to Redcar racecourse.
Acknowledging Botti’s actions in taking the horse back and covering the outstanding costs the Panel found Botti in breach of Rule (C)17 and fined him £200.
Notes to Editors:
1. The Panel for the hearings was: William Barlow (Chair), Celina Carter and Ian Stark
