‘Lying’ jockey faces police investigation after five-year ban for abrupt ‘fall’ from horse in ‘travesty’ of a race
A ‘LYING’ jockey is facing a police investigation – after he was banned for five years for abruptly ‘falling’ off a horse in bizarre fashion.
Alvinio Roy sparked punter fury for his unseating in a viral video that has been shared around the world.
The jockey, who is based in Mauritius, looked to be home and hosed on Special Force before exiting to this right.
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A poll of punters on a popular Facebook group saw them come out overwhelmingly in favour of banning Roy for life.
The incident was labelled a ‘travesty’ and one asked: “How could this happen?”
But stewards ultimately decided a five-year suspension was punishment enough following a delayed investigation into the incident.
Roy claimed at an enquiry that his fall was caused by a number of factors, including his saddle slipping and the use of new, lightweight stirrups.
However, his argument was not accepted and chief steward Riyaz Khan said: “It looked more like a jump than a fall. It was too perfect to be a fall.”
The stewards also accused Roy of lying about his saddle slip after testimony from stalls handlers and the trainer of the horse failed to back it up.
They said he made ‘no effort’ to remain in the saddle, suggesting he deliberately fell in spectacular fashion.
Roy was ultimately banned under Section 80.1.19 of the Rules of Racing, which state: “Without in any way derogating from the provisions of the Rules, no Person shall commit, incite or conspire with anybody to commit any corrupt, fraudulent, dishonest or prohibited practice in relation to the racing, breeding, buying and/or selling of Horses in any country.”
The jockey reportedly plans to appeal the finding.
But according to the Sporting Post the matter of his fall could now be handed to police.
They claim: “Although he is appealing, he will not be able to get back in the saddle for either training or racing.
“He can’t be present at training either. It is highly likely that the case will be transferred to the police.”
The race itself was full of drama with two other jockeys being rushed to hospital after being unseated.
Only three of the seven starters finished the Flat race, which was delayed after one of the horses, Romanus, played up ‘violently’ in the stalls.
While another runner, Casimiro, fell and collided with two other horses, leading to the jockey pile-up.
The controversial race was won by Alpenhorn while Rochester, a stablemate of Special Force, finished second.
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