Tom Queally given seven-day ban for hitting another rider with his whip

Tom Queally has been given a seven-day suspension by the BHA stewards for intentionally hitting Hector Crouch with his whip during a race at Lingfield on Saturday night.

The incident happened in the final furlong of the Betway Heed Your Hunch Handicap. Queally, aboard the John Stimpson-trained My Brother Mike, was upsides the Crouch-ridden Pioneering, with the pair both out of contention.

As Queally went past, he reached to his right and hit Crouch with his whip before going on to finish three and a quarter lengths in front and ninth of the 11 runners.

Crouch carried on riding after the race and the Racing Post understands that the incident was not deemed as malicious.

The stewards' report read: "Queally was suspended for seven days for improper riding as when passing Crouch he had intentionally struck the rider with his whip."

Queally, who famously rode Frankel in his phenomenal 14-race unbeaten career, has until Tuesday to appeal against his ban. The suspension would be from July 11-17.

Queally had ridden Libretti to win for William Knight on his previous ride and he enjoyed another success on Sunday with Equiano Springs at Newmarket.

Both jockeys declined to comment on the matter.

Oisin Murphy also received a two-day ban from the stewards for careless interference aboard Tabaahy when a close third in the Betway-sponsored 6f handicap. On Wednesday, Murphy successfully appealed against a four-day ban for careless riding picked up at Goodwood this month.

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