Becky Brisbourne has Doncaster ban reduced to seven days on appeal

Amateur rider Becky Brisbourne on Thursday had a 14-day ban for failing to obtain the best possible placing in a Doncaster handicap halved on appeal.

A disciplinary panel reduced her ban to seven days, concluding Brisbourne had made a minor error in judgement by leaving it too late to make her effort on fifth-placed Belabour, who ran on from the back to be beaten a length and a quarter in the 1m4f contest for amateurs on March 31.

Speaking after the decision, Brisbourne maintained she rode Belabour – who she described as an "absolute lunatic" and very fragile after a number of health issues – according to his specific needs and had even considered pulling him up before he began to respond in the closing stages.

"I view it as a success because I got my point across and proved it was wrong to ban me for 14 days, which would have been ridiculous," said Brisbourne, who owns Belabour and is assistant to her father Mark, the horse's trainer.

"A seven-day ban will still massively affect me, it's a long time for an amateur. You can get your point across a bit better in there because it is a bit daunting in the stewards' room on the day."

Representing herself before the panel at the BHA's headquarters, Brisbourne argued she had followed clear instructions to "click before you use your stick" on Belabour, verbally coaxing him along for much of the race.

She also suggested any major effort before the final two furlongs would have impacted the six-year-old's ability to finish the race as he has had an operation for a kissing spine and does not respond well to jockeys bouncing on his back.

While acknowledging Brisbourne’s welfare concerns, Lyn Williams, who presented the BHA's case, argued once the rider's fears had been allayed after the horse began to respond, she should have made a more timely effort to produce the 33-1 shot, and suggested Belabour would have won the race had she done so.

"I ride him every single day at home," said Brisbourne. "Nobody knows the horse better than me and you have to ride him in a way which suits him. Horses are not all the same – they’re not machines and often he decides how he runs a race, not me.

"I was really chuffed with how he’d run in the first place and was surprised to be pulled into the stewards’ room. I had to think of the horse’s future as I own him and pay the bills.

"I was pleased with finishing a close fifth but was kicking myself after because I thought we could have won – hindsight is an amazing thing."

Doncaster racecourse: hosted the amateur riders' handicap featuring Becky Brisbourne and BelabourCredit: Edward Whitaker

A recording of Brisbourne’s victory on Belabour at Newcastle in January was shown to the panel, which she argued demonstrated a similar approach to the way she rode him at Doncaster.

She added that her father had concerns over how well Belabour would act on the turf and noted he was not on the bridle for much of the race and struggled with kick back from the ground.

"Why would I alter how I rode him at Newcastle when it worked?" said Brisbourne. "With all the public fallout after the Grand National you have to promote welfare and this horse has so many problems.

"Most people couldn’t be paid to ride him – he will jump in front of cars and do anything to make your life hell. He was gifted to me by his previous owners [Zen Racing syndicate] and it was my responsibility to make sure he got home in one piece."

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