According to a report on the website HorseRacingPlanet.com, winning jockey David Egan was fined $100,000 and suspended two days for excessive use of the whip when riding Mishriff (Ire) (Make Believe {GB}) to victory in the $20-million Saudi Cup Saturday.
The Saudi stewards determined that Egan hit his mount 11 times, one more than the maximum allowed. Egan hit Mishriff several times in the stretch, starting out with his left hand before switching over to his right.
In addition, the website reported that Mike Smith was handed a two-day suspension for his ride aboard runner-up Charlatan (Speightstown) for causing interference. The stewards ruled that he interfered with fifth-place finisher Sleepy Eyes Todd (Paddy O'Prado). Charlatan cut over in front of Sleepy Eyes Todd shortly after the start, but it appeared to be a minor infraction that had no bearing on where Sleepy Eyes Todd finished.
It was the second straight year that Smith was penalized. In 2020, he was fined $210,000 and suspended for breaking the whipping rules when aboard runner-up Midnight Bisou (Midnight Lute). He was also given a nine-day suspension.
Egan, 21, was forced to forfeit 10% of his earnings. The winning rider in the Saudi Cup earns $1 million.
Stipendiary steward Phil Tuck told HorseRacingPlanet: “We took into account that two hits were down the shoulder in the backhand position and considered that he used his whip 11 times behind the saddle. He had 10% of his prize money deducted.”
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