Christophe Soumillon, one of the world's leading jockeys, has been handed an eight-day ban after stewards ruled he rode in a manner designed to benefit a stablemate during a controversial race at Royal Ascot.
The Belgian rider was punished following his performance aboard Puerto Rico in Tuesday's St James's Palace Stakes. Soumillon was riding the Aidan O'Brien-trained outsider, while stablemate Gstaad, ridden by Ryan Moore, started among the favourites.
Stewards launched an investigation after reviewing race footage and concluded that Soumillon had moved Puerto Rico away from the rail entering the home straight, creating a clear passage for Gstaad on the inside. Although Gstaad finished second behind winner Bow Echo, officials ruled Soumillon's actions were intended to give an advantage to another horse from the same stable.
A statement from the stewards read: 'An enquiry was held to consider whether C Soumillon, the rider of Puerto Rico, rode in a manner to benefit Gstaad and in doing so caused minimal interference to Power Blue. Soumillon was suspended for eight days for riding 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.'
Moore also received a three-day suspension for careless riding at the start of the race, having allowed Gstaad to drift left without taking sufficient corrective action, causing interference to several rivals.
The ruling became one of the major talking points from the opening day of Royal Ascot, with racing fans debating the tactics employed by O'Brien's team, who have often used front-running horses to ensure a strong pace for more fancied stablemates.
