Theodore Ladd: there was no excuse for what happened over whip bans

A contrite Theodore Ladd apologised on Thursday for picking up bans totalling 19 days at Southwell last week, predominantly for whip offences, calling his rides errors in judgement and out of character.

Ladd, 21, received two separate bans of seven days and nine days for using his whip above the permitted level, plus a three-day ban for careless riding. This prompted criticism from senior weighing-room colleague Luke Morris, who Ladd defeated by a nose before being hit with the seven-day suspension.

"There was no excuse for what happened that day," Ladd said. "It was an error of judgement and it won't happen again as I'll keep trying to make myself better.

Jockey Luke Morris criticised Theodore Lad for a 'win-at-all-costs' mentality

"It was just a black day and out of character – I've never done anything like that before in my life and I'm sorry it happened."

Successful in the apprentice hands and heels series last year, in which riders are not allowed to use their whips, Ladd enjoyed a personal-best season in 2018 with 25 winners and collecting nearly £215,000 in win and place prize-money.

Before his indiscipline at Southwell, Ladd had received two bans of four days and two days for breaching the whip rules in 237 rides. He was chastised by Morris for his performance, but the apprentice said his efforts in the saddle at Southwell were not representative of his overall style.

He said: "I rode 25 winners last season and won the hands and heels series, so I'm not a stick jockey at all."

Previously based with Hughie Morrison, Ladd, who is now based with Scott Dixon, was thankful to receive backing from fellow professionals in the days after the incident having initially been squarely in the firing line.

“Mr Dixon has been extremely supportive of me the whole way through," he said. "That's given me confidence, as has the response I’ve had from a lot of other people. Rebecca Bastiman, Tim Pinfield and Ali Rawlinson have all spoken to me and supported me, which means a lot."

Ladd is set to miss most of the rest of the month as a result of the suspensions, but is keen to kick on when he returns to action.

"I'm really looking forward to having a positive season," he added. "I want to show people I'm better than I was last year, and hopefully I can ride more winners and make positive progress in the next 12 months."

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