Horse Racing

Dwyer ban reduced on appeal

ESPN staff

September 7, 2013

Martin Dwyer will appeal to the British Horseracing Authority not to reciprocate his suspension © Getty Images

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Martin Dwyer has had his eight-month riding suspension reduced to 56 days after an appeal hearing in India.

Dwyer drew the ire of racegoers in Mumbai on February 17 after narrowly finishing third on market leader Ice Age at Mahalaxmi racecourse.

His initial 56-day suspension was increased in August by stewards of the Royal Western India Turf Club (RWITC), who decreed Dwyer's punishment must be sterner after he was ruled to have not ridden the filly on her merits.

However an RWITC appeal board reduced Dwyer's ban at a hearing at Pune racecourse. Dwyer will appeal to the British Horseracing Authority not to match the new suspension.

Professional Jockeys Association chief executive Paul Struthers tweeted: "It is still a disgraceful decision and the RWITC have gone totally against their own rules by failing to uphold Martin's appeal in full.

"An application will be made to BHA press office on Monday requesting the ban is not reciprocated and for stay of penalty pending hearing."

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