Carberry will not appeal against 30-day ban

PAUL CARBERRY will not appeal against the 30-day suspension and €5,000 fine he received for failing a breath test at Naas on October 31.

The suspension handed down by the Turf Club referrals committee last week starts on November 25 and applies to days when there is racing in Ireland, which means Carberry cannot return until the Thurles fixture on January 28 next year.

Paul Carberry: grateful for support

  PICTURE: Edward Whitaker  

The ban rules him out of some of the biggest meetings of the winter, including Leopardstown's prestigious Christmas meeting. However, Carberry is allowed to ride in Britain on blank days in Ireland.

It was the second time Carberry had failed an alcohol breath test, the first coming at the 2007 Galway Festival.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, Carberry said: "I have used the last few days to consider carefully the decision of the referrals committee. While I feel the 30-day suspension over the busy Christmas period is harsh, I respect the panel's decision and have decided not to appeal.

"Instead I will try to use this period positively, so that when I return in January I can be at peak fitness and riding at the top of my game, as people deserve from me.

"I would like to thank the many people who have supported me over this period and who continue to support me, in particular Noel Meade and his owners and my colleagues in the weighing room."