Christophe Soumillon has appealed the eight-day suspension he received for 'team tactics' when aboard Aidan O'Brien's Puerto Rico (Wootton Bassett) in Tuesday's G1 St James's Palace Stakes, according to the British Horseracing Authority (BHA).
The Belgian was riding one of two Aidan O'Brien-trained runners in the one-mile race alongside G1 Irish 2000 Guineas hero Gstaad (Starspangledbanner) and was deemed by the stewards to have ridden “in a manner to benefit Gstaad”.
The stewards ruled Soumillon had ridden his mount “in such a way that intended to give an advantage to another horse from the same stable, in that he moved his mount away from the rail thereby ensuring a clear run for Gstaad on his inside”.
When confirming the 45-year-old had appealed the suspension, the regulator also indicated the appeal would be heard remotely by the independent disciplinary panel on Friday June 26.
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