D-day for Dunne: jockey's appeal against 18-month ban for bullying Frost begins

Robbie Dunne's appeal against his suspension for bullying and harassing Bryony Frost will be heard at the BHA on Wednesday, three months after he was handed an 18-month ban for "conduct prejudicial to the integrity, proper conduct and good reputation of horseracing".

The hearing marks the latest stage in the high-profile case which split the weighing room and drove a wedge between the jockeys and the BHA, which is still being repaired.

What is happening at the appeal?

Dunne, 36, is appealing against both the findings of the independent disciplinary panel and the punishment handed down to him in December, a ban of 18 months with three of those suspended.

A new panel is due to sit for the appeal under the chairmanship of Anthony Boswood QC. Dunne has bolstered his legal team with the addition of Robin Mathew QC, who wrote to the Racing Post expressing his criticism of the panel at the initial hearing and of the investigation carried out by the BHA.

As well as potentially reducing or dismissing Dunne's ban, the appeal board could also increase the rider's punishment.

Robbie Dunne rode in a 'deliberately intimidatory' manner against Bryony Frost

What went on at the first hearing?

Over six days, testimony was heard from a number of jockeys, valets, BHA officials and other figures outlining the growing antagonism between Dunne and Bryony Frost, 26, between February and September 2020.

Dunne was accused of using foul and abusive language towards Frost, including calling her a "f****** slut", which was described as a "whoa moment" by a male fence attendant that heard the exchange at Stratford racecourse in July 2020.

It was also alleged that Dunne opened his towel and shook himself in front of Frost, which he denied, that he engaged in online bullying, intimidatory raceriding and told his colleague he would "put you through a wing" after a race at Southwell in September 2020 in which he blamed Frost's riding for the death of his horse, Cillian's Well.

At the conclusion of the hearing, which also featured allegations made by Dunne that someone with a "West Country accent" had threatened to physically harm him in the days after the Southwell race, the panel was damning in its judgement against the rider.

Chair Brian Barker said: "This was the deliberate targeting of a colleague whose vulnerabilities you exploited…your behaviour and language would not be tolerated in any other walk of life or workplace."

Robbie Dunne: damning verdict against the riderCredit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

What was the reaction to the verdict?

Frost thanked "every individual including the racing public that has supported me", while the body which represents jockeys, the Professional Jockeys Association, launched a scathing attack on the BHA and the disciplinary panel.

The PJA maintained Dunne had not received a fair trial, following on from its efforts made to have the case thrown out in October following leaks about the BHA's investigation to The Sunday Times.

The organisation also said it acknowledged Frost had "felt bullied". Former chief executive Paul Struthers later admitted that was incorrect and that Frost was bullied by Dunne.

There were also ructions between the PJA and the BHA after the regulator's legal counsel Louis Weston had said in closing that if there was a culture in the weighing room that allowed riders to be bullied and prevented them from speaking out then it was "sour, rancid and one that we say should be thrown out and discarded".

When will a decision be made?

The hearing is due to begin at the BHA's head office in London at 10am on Wednesday. One day has been set aside for the appeal, with the verdict usually handed down on the same day.

Read more on this subject:

Robbie Dunne banned for 18 months for bullying and harassing Bryony Frost

Read panel's damning verdict on Robbie Dunne's bullying of Bryony Frost

Robbie Dunne lodges appeal against 18-month ban for bullying Bryony Frost

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The Front Runner is our latest email newsletter available exclusively to Members' Club Ultimate subscribers. Chris Cook, a four-time Racing Reporter of the Year award winner, provides his take on the day's biggest stories and tips for the upcoming racing every morning from Monday to Friday