Seven-day ban for jockey Danny Brock for marking Chelmsford winner

Flat jockey Danny Brock has been banned for seven days for marking a horse with a modified whip at Chelmsford last month.

Brock and Charlie McBride's Resurrected came home in front in a classified stakes at the Essex track four weeks ago, but the rider was found in breach and fined £140 by the stewards on duty that day.

However, they were not able to fully deal with the matter then as the 27-year-old had left the course before officials had reviewed a veterinary report that detailed the three-year-old had been wealed.

With that in mind, an independent disciplinary panel on Thursday replaced the initial penalty with a seven-day suspension.

Brock, who has primarily ridden for the Newmarket-based McBride this season, has recorded eight winners in that period with three coming at Lingfield on March 8 during a stand-off between owners and trainers and Arena Racing Company-owned tracks.

Saudi Arabia Jockey Club appoints HBA Media

The Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia has appointed HBA Media, a leader in the distribution of racing content, as its media and distribution partner. The $20 million Saudi Cup, the world's richest race, is due to be run for the first time on February 29.

HBA will be tasked with ensuring the Cup gains maximum exposure along with seven supporting races that offer nearly $30m in prize-money.

Henry Birtles, chief executive officer of HBA Media, said: "This is a fantastic opportunity for racing and HBA Media is delighted to be involved in the big plan."

Desert Encounter among 46 entries for inaugural Bahrain International Trophy

David Simcock’s globetrotting star Desert Encounter is among 46 entries for the inaugural running of the 1m2f Bahrain International Trophy at Bahrain racecourse on November 22.

The 115-rated seven-year-old has been in scintillating form this season, stringing together four consecutive victories culminating in a second straight triumph in the Grade 1 Pattison Canadian International Stakes at Woodbine last weekend.

Simcock said: "The owner is very keen to run Desert Encounter in the Bahrain International Trophy. We’ll see how he is when he returns from Toronto, but the Bahrain race is definitely under consideration.”

The list of entries contains runners from five nations aside from Britain and Desert Encounter could renew rivalry with German-based Canadian International second Alounak, along with the Andrew Balding-trained Pivoine, who was fourth.

Costly Diamond ban upheld but penalties on trainer and rider reduced

The penalties imposed on trainer Pat Kelly and jockey Paul Cawley at Listowel on September 10 have been reduced on appeal.

Kelly was fined €2,000 and Cawley banned for ten days after the stewards inquired into the performance of Costly Diamond in a 2m4f mares' maiden hurdle and ruled the five-year-old had not been ridden to achieve the best possible placing.

Costly Diamond finished 38 lengths behind Blazing Emily in tenth and was banned for 42 days.

The mare's ban was upheld by the Appeals Committee of the IHRB, who reduced Kelly's fine to €1,500 and Cawley's ban to five days.

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