'Everybody has to get better' - Scudamore calls for change in wake of Dunne case

Tom Scudamore on Sunday called on his fellow jockeys to improve their ways following the damaging independent disciplinary hearing involving Robbie Dunne and Bryony Frost during which the culture of the weighing room came under intense scrutiny.

The conduct of jockeys towards one another was criticised in the high-profile case, which resulted in Dunne being found guilty of bullying and harassing Frost and suspended for 18 months.

Scudamore, who provided testimony on behalf of Dunne at the hearing, said while he accepted the verdict there was "simmering anger" within the weighing room at aspects related to the case.

Speaking on Luck on Sunday, he said: "There are always things that need to change and improve and everybody has to get better, it's as simple as that.

"I was thinking about it recently when you look at how Sir Alex Ferguson dealt with things and the way he would deal with the Roy Keanes and Bryan Robsons of this world, eventually he couldn't do the same thing with the David Beckhams and Cristiano Ronaldos.

"I've always found the weighing room to be open and very welcome and there will always be a place for everybody. We've just all got to get better."

Scudamore voiced the frustration among his peers at the leaking of information gathered by the BHA's integrity team to David Walsh of The Sunday Times before the hearing started.

"The judgement is what it is and you have to accept it, it's by an independent panel and that's not up for discussion," he said.

"I still think there's some simmering anger within the weighing room, a lot about how certain things were reported and especially more in the lead up to the case with the leaks.

"There are a lot of questions that haven't been answered in that respect so again I think the anger in the weighing room is more with how certain things were reported rather than the actual case itself."

Scudamore also disputed claims made by Frost while she was giving evidence that he no longer spoke with her, having been friendly previously.

"What was said during the hearing was said," he said. "I have a different account to what Bryony said. We have spoken since the hearing as well. She felt I ostracised her and I didn't feel that was the case.

"As I said during the hearing, I was certainly wary of things that had been put in the press in the lead up to the case and there were a few things I felt uncomfortable about. The case wasn't about me, it was about Robbie and Bryony and hopefully we can all move on."

Read more:

British racing launches industry-wide group to tackle behavioural issues

PJA chief accepts Bryony Frost was bullied rather than 'felt bullied'

What was Robbie Dunne found in breach of at the Bryony Frost hearing?

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