Jockey Silvestre de Sousa was handed an 18-day ban, with six day deferred, for using his whip without giving his mount, Swiss Cross (GB) (Cape Cross {Ire}), time to respond at Lingfield June 16. That offence warrants a suspension between two and six days, but de Sousa was given a stiffer penalty because it is his fifth offence within six months.
De Sousa's agent Shelley Dwyer said, “It's a totting-up procedure, so there are no grounds for appeal and we move on.
Worse things happen and it's not the end of the world. We'll get it out of the way and then get our heads down again and go for it. He will come back battling.”
In related news, William Buick has lodged an appeal against the 30-day suspension he received for his ride in the G1 Prix de Diane last weekend. Stewards judged Buick caused the fall of Armande (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}), for which he was given 15 days, and he received an additional 15 days for being offensive to stewards. Buick's mount, Highlands Queen (Fr) (Mount Nelson {GB}), was demoted to last from eighth.
Samuel Fargeat, secretary of the stewards at France Galop, said: “So far [Buick] has appealed against the decision of the stewards. He has appealed both suspensions and the appeal body will sit at some time in the next week.”
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