Ward regret over Wolverhampton outburst

Jason Ward has issued a profuse apology for making a racist comment during an At The Races broadcast, and has also apologised to the producer of the programme for his remark, which has triggered a BHA investigation.

The Middleham trainer used a racial stereotype when interviewed after the success of his Monte Cinq in a two-year-old maiden at Wolverhampton on Tuesday.

"It's very important that I apologise sincerely to anyone that I have offended with my post-race comments," the trainer said. "It was not meant in a racist way, in any shape or form, and I can only apologise for my choice of words.

"I emailed the ATR producer as soon as I got home and I apologised profusely, and I also put a statement of apology up on my website straight away. It was just a slip of the tongue, I spoke without thinking."

The BHA, who fined Carl Llewellyn in 2014 after he was found guilty of 'conduct prejudicial to horseracing' for making a racist remark at a Cheltenham preview night, are treating Ward's comment as a serious issue.

“We cannot comment on ongoing inquiries but are aware of the incident and will be taking the appropriate steps in relation to this matter," said spokeswoman Rosie Margarson.

"There's no place in British racing for racially offensive language and we are taking this matter very seriously. We hope to have the matter dealt with as quickly as possible.”