'I don't know why he did that' - furious trainer apologises after jockey error

Jockey Johnny Charron was banned for 15 days by stewards at Cagnes-sur-Mer on Friday after producing an extraordinary ride in which he asked for next to no effort in the closing stages and was beaten in the final strides.

Charron's performance on 11-2 shot Mansionsa left trainer Gabriel Leenders furious, with him telling stewards his horse would have won if the rider had made an effort and that he "deeply regretted this attitude towards punters and the entourage of the horse".

Charron, who was later banned, and Mansionsa (green) are passed by Bric close home

Mansionsa looked set for victory after jumping the final hurdle at the track on the French Riveria, with Charron, an experienced rider with a string of notable successes to his name, sitting motionless in the saddle.

After looking across three times to check on his rivals, Charron still appeared not to view his gaining opponents as a danger, with the rider resorting to only nudging out Mansionsa even as Bric passed him mere metres from the finish to win.

Charron was interviewed by stewards, telling them he felt the mare had a breathing problem after the final flight and "feeling that he had no more resources, he had applied himself to the extent he could until he passed the finish pole".

Watch: Cagnes-sur-Mer jockey slammed after producing 'worst ride of all time'

Leenders was deeply sceptical of the explanation, and said to the stewards that "very clearly the mare should have won this race if the jockey had been more energetic".

The trainer on Twitter apologised for the ride, and when contacted by the Racing Post said: "I don't know why my jockey did that. As a trainer I think only win, win, win and today I thought we were going to have an easy win. I'm very sorry for the bettors and the owners."

Asked if Charron had thought there was another circuit to go in the race, Leender said: "I don't think so. This mare has had a lot of problems and she was right for today and she could have won today. Tomorrow, I don't know how she will be and if she can win as she has had problems. It's very disappointing."

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Leenders added that Charron had not apologised to him for the ride and that he is not a regular rider for the stable.

Stewards ordered Mansionsa to be checked by a vet, who detected no physical problem. They added: "Consequently, not being satisfied by the explanations of the jockey [the stewards] sanctioned him with a ban on riding for a period of 15 days."

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