An Irish amateur rider has accused prominent British jockey Nico de Boinville of directing a racially abusive comment towards him during an incident at Cheltenham on Wednesday. Declan Queally and de Boinville, who is the stable jockey for trainer Nicky Henderson, engaged in a heated confrontation at the start of the Turners Novices’ Hurdle, the first race on the second day of the Cheltenham Festival.
Tensions rose as the riders vied for position among the 21-horse field, resulting in the starter declaring two false starts before the race commenced. De Boinville ultimately finished second aboard Act Of Innocence, with Queally taking fifth on I’ll Sort That, trained by his family.
Following the race, Queally expressed his displeasure to ITV Racing, stating, “The start was chaotic. Being subjected to abuse by English rider Nico de Boinville is unacceptable. I’m an amateur rider who came here to compete in front of my family, and such behavior is appalling.” In response, de Boinville retorted, “Perhaps he should reflect on his own actions.”
During a stewards’ inquiry, it was revealed that Queally, along with Jack Kennedy, Danny Gilligan, and Darragh O’Keeffe, had caused a false start by not approaching the starting tape correctly. Kennedy and Queally received one-day suspensions for misconduct, while Gilligan and O’Keefe were suspended for two days due to repeat offenses.
Queally lodged a complaint about an incident at the start, alleging that de Boinville had used racially derogatory language towards him in front of ITV cameras. He reported the incident to BHA stewards for investigation, while de Boinville declined to provide a comment when contacted.
The stewards’ notice indicated, “The stewards, having heard initial testimonies from Queally and Nico de Boinville, have adjourned the matter pending further evidence.”
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