Top Flat jockey Richard Hughes will not be able to ride in races until 30 April after a ban imposed in India was upheld by the British Horseracing Authority (BHA).
Hughes appealed to the BHA asking for the 50-day ban he received while riding in India not to be recognised in Britain. But the BHA today (Wednesday 28 March) rejected this.
Hughes said it was “disappointing”.
The jockey was suspended in Mumbai in February after being found not to have ridden to a trainer’s instructions.
The ban, imposed by the Royal Western India Turf Club, is already in force and covers the remaining 15 meetings of the Mumbai season, which ends on Sunday 29 April.
He will miss the first month of the British Flat turf season, which starts on Saturday (31 March), dealing a blow to his hopes of being crowned champion jockey.
The BHA said: “The BHA is one of about 50 authorities who are signatories to the International Racing Agreement, and as such is committed to reciprocating penalties imposed on licensees by recognised racing authorities, providing always that the disciplinary process is procedurally fair.”
