Becky Brisbourne To Appeal 14-Day Doncaster Ban

Becky Brisbourne To Appeal 14-Day Doncaster Ban

Amateur rider Becky Brisbourne will appeal the 14-day ban prescribed to her on Sunday afternoon, for failing to "take all reasonable and permissible measures" to attain the best possible finish for the horse she rode.

The horse in question is Belabour, who finished fifth in the 32Red.com Amateur Riders' Handicap over a mile-and-a-half, and stewards stated that Brisbourne made her effort too late on in the day, giving the horse no chance of maximising the potential outcome.

The official notes from the results of the race said: 'Behind, began to make headway on wide outside over 3f out, ridden along 2f out, stayed on well final furlong, nearest at the finish.'

Becky - the assistant trainer to her father Mark at the family's home in Shropshire, was left shell-shocked over the decision and argued that the horse needed to be ridden with patience to portray his best.

(Credit: Racing Post) She said: "No one knows and cares more about that horse than me. The previous syndicate who owned him gifted him to me when they decided they didn't want to continue with him and they messaged me yesterday to say they will send a letter to the authorities to say that is how the horse is ridden.

"At home he's never ridden with another horse. He's just incredibly quirky and very sensitive. If you get into an argument or hit him you're never going to win.

"When I won on him at Newcastle I did exactly the same," she said.

Sent off at 33/1, the horse was checked at the track by vets to identify any issues. However Brisbourne was quick to dispatch and quash any bad rumours.

(Credit: Racing Post) She said: "He's got multiple problems and has had kissing spine operations and I wasn't 100 per cent if he'd go on the quick ground.

"The main instruction was to get him into a rhythm and bring him home in one piece. We hoped the course would suit him and I said all this to the stewards but I think they'd already made their mind up.

"Nobody would want to win on him more than me and if there's any implication I was trying to get him beat that certainly wasn't the case.

"I wasn't travelling at any point through the race – I was never on the bridle. At one point I thought we could end up pulling up as he was hating it. I don't know if they are implying I should have hit him when he was trying to detach himself but I don't think that would have done him any good.

"I should have pushed myself harder in the stewards' room but I was so surprised to be in there in the first place having been really pleased with him," she finished.

The 24-year-old has ridden eleven winners, and has seven days to respond to the charges.