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Ben Curtis fails in attempt to lift 14-day ban for breach of Covid-19 protocols

Ben Curtis: faces a full disciplinary panel inquiry into his Covid-19 breach at Newmarket
Ben Curtis: faces a full disciplinary panel inquiry into his Covid-19 breach at NewmarketCredit: Steve Davies

Jockey Ben Curtis has failed in his attempt to lift his 14-day suspension for breaching Covid-19 protocols at Newmarket last week and faces further possible sanctions for his actions.

The decision was made at a preliminary hearing, conducted via Zoom, on Friday ahead of a full disciplinary panel inquiry into the incident, which is due to take place next Friday.

Curtis was prevented from riding with immediate effect after entering an area restricted to owners at Newmarket, for which he was removed from the course and provisionally stood down for 14 days.

It emerged at the hearing the jockey had been filming a promotional video with two owners, whom he had met with earlier that day away from the course.

The North Yorkshire-based rider, who is the most prolific jockey in Britain this year with 131 winners, has not been allowed on a racecourse since.

After missing a week of rides during a busy part of the season, he had hoped to be cleared to return immediately, but his request was rejected by the independent judicial panel.

Ben Curtis: has a number of good rides at Newcastle on Monday
Ben Curtis: made a public apology and took a test for the virus which returned negativeCredit: Edward Whitaker

Responding to the verdict, Curtis told the Racing Post: "I'm disappointed it didn't go my way and I'm not able to be back on a racecourse and earning any money.

"I made a mistake and I'm paying the price for it. It goes in front of someone, they have a decision to make and it was disappointing.

"I'm at home on the sidelines and with another hearing next Friday there'll be plenty of phone calls with Rory Mac Neice trying to see where we go from here."

Curtis, who since Newmarket made a public apology and took a test for the virus which returned negative, is a jockey in high demand and sitting out two weeks is a huge blow financially.

He revealed in the aftermath of the incident that in the first 24 hours he was taken off no fewer than 23 rides at a cost of around £2,300 in riding fees, aside from any prize-money percentages.

Mac Neice, who represented Curtis, argued the punishment was "draconian" in the circumstances and disproportionate considering the effect it would have on the jockey's ability to earn an income.

He also raised concerns about a lack of factual details surrounding the incident at Newmarket, saying the BHA's case stems from a decision about which there has been "no transparency or ability to challenge".


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Zara Brawley, presenting the case for the BHA, responded by saying the return of owners to the racecourse on July 4 was only possible with strict protocols to ensure compliance with government regulations.

She added the BHA's Covid-19 protocols had been widely agreed upon and made available and there was no dispute, regardless of whether it was intentional or not, that Curtis had breached the rules.

Brian Barker QC, chair of the independent judicial panel, heard the matter alone and said in summary: "The avoidance of potential risk is essential to the effective continuation of racing and it's general reputation. In my view, the interim suspension was properly triggered. This is an exceptional rule grounded in exceptional circumstances, but adherence has a biosecurity foundation.

"The adherence to the rules for the protection of the public and the future wellbeing of the sport outweigh the personal difficulties being faced by Mr Curtis."

The jockey will face a full inquiry for breaching the BHA's Covid-19 protocols, with the entry-point sanction a three-month exclusion from the racecourse.

However, trainers Gary Moore and Mark Gillard, along with his assistant Steven Hosie, received lesser punishments for similar breaches and a racecourse ban impacts a jockey's ability to earn in a way it does not a trainer.


Read more on this subject:

Ben Curtis facing at least eight days out for Covid-19 breach at Newmarket

Ben Curtis tests negative for Covid-19 as he apologises for Newmarket breach

Gary Moore fined for breaching coronavirus regulations at Goodwood


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Andrew DietzReporter

Published on 4 September 2020inNews

Last updated 18:23, 4 September 2020

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