Six-day suspension proves Drowne and water are not an ideal combination

Drowne and water have proved an unfortunate combination for a second time, Steve Drowne being hit with a six-day ban at Kempton on Tuesday night for weighing in heavy after having a drink of water.

The standard suspension for such an offence is three days, but Drowne’s penalty was doubled as it was his second in less than six months.

Drowne was reported by the Kempton clerk of the scales for being 2lb heavier than when he weighed out for his ride in the closing 1m4f handicap on Honourable Knight, who finished third, beaten a length and a quarter.

And he was not alone in coming a cropper for quenching his thirst on a relatively warm and sunny day as conditional Ryan Day was banned for three days for the same offence at Huntingdon after riding Larkhall, who also finished third.

Ryan Day: banned at Huntingdon for the same offence as Drowne

BHA spokesman Robin Mounsey said: “This rule is in place in the interests of the betting public. Once a rider has weighed out there is no way for the public to be made aware of any fluctuations in their weight, and therefore what weight the horse they have backed will be carrying.

“For this reason we ask jockeys to try to maintain their weight as much as possible after weighing out, with a 2lb leeway.

“In certain circumstances further leeway may be provided, for example on a day that is pouring with rain and when all the jockeys are coming back wet and overweight.”

Drowne, who travelled on to Kempton after one ride at Leicester in the afternoon, said: “It was my fault, but it was the last race and I’d had a long day. The trouble is when you have a good sweat and have got light you tend to have a drink and it seems to come on more than it does normally.”

Drowne, joint-president of the Professional Jockeys Association, believes the rise in initiatives to improve health and wellbeing in the weighing room is having a positive impact.

“Jockeys have never been fitter and education has never been better,” he said. “I can’t remember the last time I saw a lad collapse through dehydration, but 15 to 20 years ago it would happen quite regularly.”