Seamie Heffernan hit with 22-day whip ban by stewards after French Derby ride

The racing wheel is not long in turning and eight days after landing a fourth success in the Irish Derby at the Curragh on Santiago, Seamie Heffernan was suspended for 22 days by Chantilly stewards after exceeding the permitted number of strokes with the whip by six aboard unplaced Order Of Australia in the Prix du Jockey Club on Sunday.

Heffernan had already accepted he would be out of action for 14 days on his return to Ireland due to quarantine requirements following his trip to Epsom and Chantilly.

That would have been due to expire on the weekend of the Juddmonte Irish Oaks (July 18) but the ban, which stewards handed out after finding Heffernan guilty of striking Order Of Australia 11 times, will begin on July 19 and runs until August 9.

Heffernan was also out of luck on his other ride at Chantilly when beaten a short neck and a head aboard Prix de Diane third Peaceful.

France reduced its permitted number of strikes to five strokes in March last year and stewards are directed to increase the punishment in line with the number of hits over the limit and importance of the race.

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