Appeal against Irish jockey's horse punch penalty

Brad Waters - Thursday August 31

The case of the Irish jockey that punched a horse before a race might take another turn.

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Irish jumps stewards will appeal a penalty Davy Russell received for punching a horse before a race. Photo: RTE

Two-time Irish champion jumps jockey Davy Russell received a caution from the Turf Club Referrals Committee for "behaviour damaging to the reputation of horse racing" after he admitted to hitting Kings Dolly before a race at Tramore on August 18.

The investigation into the incident occurred after social media uproar but animal welfare organisations slammed what they perceived to be a soft penalty.

The Irish National Hunt Steeplechase Committees, the body that handles stewarding of jumps racing in Ireland, has used its powers to send the case to the Turf Club appeal panel to review what it described as an "unduly lenient" penalty.

The case will be reheard "in due course".

Melbourne apprentice Brandon Stockdale received an $800 fine for punching his mount Maid To Measure in the stomach at Sandown on Wednesday.
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