Former assistant trainer disqualified for 15 months after striking horses

Former assistant trainer Neil Harris was disqualified from working in racing for 15 months for conduct prejudicial to the sport after two separate incidents of striking a horse multiple times while schooling.

British racing’s independent disciplinary panel was shown videos of horses schooling from December 3, 2017 and August 7, 2020, which were not brought to the attention of the BHA until March this year. His disqualification was backdated to March 16 and six months will be suspended.

The first piece of footage showed him striking a reluctant horse with a plastic rail in an attempt to make it jump an obstacle. Harris said his frustration was with the way the horse was ridden by trainer Ella Pickard, who has not had runners under rules since March.

Pickard was also riding in the second video, in which Harris struck the horse with a wooden showjumping pole. He said they were isolated incidents and did not show the "complete picture".

Harris, who was first registered as a member of stable staff in 1992 and represented himself, admitted to the breach and provided video evidence of him encouraging horses without force. He maintained his job was to finish on a positive note and get horses over obstacles.

"You don't see the whole picture in the footage," said Harris, who was supported by character witnesses. "When the mare came into the school she was jumping really well and all of a sudden she stopped and put Ella on the ground six times. I intervened but in the next part of the video, which isn't there, she started to do well.

"We came out of it on a positive note. I don't hit horses – I'm not a horse-beater. It's a rare thing. The strangest part about it all is I've broken in and schooled horses for many people, often high up in the racing world for the likes of the late Tim Forster and Noel Chance."

Charlotte Davison, presenting the case against Harris, said: "His actions were prejudicial to the integrity, proper conduct and reputation of racing. He struck horses with objects for which they were not designed without consideration for the welfare of either horse."

Delivering the verdict, the panel noted the mitigating factors, such as the admission of guilt, alongside the aggravating features of the case, including Harris's use of objects and the indication of pain and fear. However, it did not choose to also implement a financial penalty.

"Welfare and the care of horses is absolutely paramount," concluded James O'Mahony, the panel's chairman. "In the first footage, there is in our judgement a loss of temper, which is completely inappropriate.

"Yet perhaps the most disturbing feature was blows to the face and neck of the horse concerned. In the second video, there's also the use of a solid implement. His attitude must of course be changed if he thinks for one moment he can do anything like this again."

Following the hearing, a BHA spokesman said: "British racing prides itself on the high standard of care afforded to our horses, and those who work in studs and stables up and down the country will be concerned to learn of Mr Harris’s conduct.

"His behaviour demonstrated not only a lack of respect and compassion for the horses under his supervision but also put the safety of his colleagues at risk, actions that run contrary to the values embodied by the vast majority who work in the sport.

"The BHA is pleased the disciplinary panel agreed and saw fit to rule as it has. Should Mr Harris apply to return to racing at the conclusion of his penalty then the BHA will assess his application appropriately."

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