Jamie Stier, Chief Regulatory Officer for the British Horseracing Authority (BHA), said:
“The BHA has been in contact with Mr Jenkins, the trainer of Diore Lia, and the owner’s representative, regarding Gina Mangan’s participation in the Investec Epsom Derby. Following these discussions the connections were this afternoon informed that the BHA has decided under Rule (F)83 that it would be in the best interests of the sport not to accept the declaration of Gina Mangan as the rider of Diore Lia should she be put forward for the ride in the Investec Derby.
“Everyone involved in horseracing has a responsibility to place the welfare of our participants, both equine and human, first. It is in this context that the decision has been made.
“While risk can never be removed entirely, it is possible to identify factors that can increase risk, and act on them. While Miss Mangan has held her licence for a number of years she remains inexperienced, with only 69 rides and one winner to her name. She has never ridden at Epsom and certainly never ridden in a race on the scale and stage of the Derby, with all the unique challenges it presents.
“While there are currently no race conditions regarding rider or horse qualification for the Derby, or any other Flat Pattern race in Britain, whether there should be is something that we have already started considering prior to the events of the last seven days, and the specific matter of Miss Mangan’s booking has been under consideration since it became known that she would be booked. Conditions on qualification exist in the Grand National and we will continue to consider this matter as regards other races, in the interests of protecting the safety and public perception of our participants and most high profile races.
“We fully understand that this will be extremely disappointing for Miss Mangan, however we believe that the decision is the correct one in the best interests of all concerned and the sport. Should the BHA have not acted and an incident have occurred, then the disappointment of one rider could have been placed in stark contrast with the potential consequences.”
Notes to Editors:
1. Rule (F)83 can be found here: http://rules.britishhorseracing.dev/Orders-and-rules&staticID=126499&depth=3
2. The decision affects only the jockey Gina Mangan. The horse Diore Lia remains eligible for the race should she be declared.
