Irish Jockey Accuses British Rival of Racial Abuse at Cheltenham Festival
An Irish amateur jockey has made serious allegations against a top British rider, claiming he was subjected to abusive comments of a racial nature during the prestigious Cheltenham Festival. The incident occurred on Wednesday, casting a shadow over the second day of the renowned horse racing event.
Heated Exchange During Chaotic Start
Declan Queally, the amateur rider, and Nico de Boinville, the stable jockey for Nicky Henderson, became embroiled in a fiery confrontation before the start of the Turners’ Novices’ Hurdle. Tempers flared as the 21-runner field jostled for position, leading to two false starts declared by the official starter before the race could commence.
The chaotic beginning set the stage for the subsequent war of words. De Boinville ultimately finished second aboard Act Of Innocence, trailing the Willie Mullins-trained winner King Rasko Grey, while Queally secured fifth place on the family-trained horse I'll Sort That.
Post-Race Allegations and Denials
Following the race, Queally did not hold back in his criticism when speaking to ITV Racing. "The start was a bit of a mess. Being abused by an English rider Nico de Boinville is not very nice," he stated. "I’m an amateur. I’ve come over here riding in front of my kids and that. Horrific."
In response, de Boinville offered a terse rebuttal, suggesting, "Maybe he should look in the mirror." The exchange quickly escalated beyond the track, with Queally providing further details to racing publications.
Specific Complaints and Stewards' Inquiry
Queally elaborated on the incident in interviews, telling the Racing Post that de Boinville "called me a f*****g p***k a couple of times in front of the ITV camera." He later informed Mirror Racing that the abuse was of a racial nature, emphasizing, "I’ve reported it and it is being dealt with by the BHA stewards."
When contacted for comment, de Boinville declined to respond, stating he had no comment to make. The British Horseracing Authority stewards have taken the matter seriously, noting in their report that Queally made a complaint regarding an incident at the start.
The stewards' notice confirmed, "The stewards, having heard the initial evidence from Queally and Nico de Boinville, have adjourned the matter to obtain further evidence." This indicates an ongoing investigation into the allegations.
Disciplinary Actions for False Starts
In a related development, the stewards' inquiry also addressed the chaotic start of the race. It was reported that Jack Kennedy, Declan Queally, Danny Gilligan, and Darragh O’Keeffe failed to approach the starting tape at a walk or jig-jog, directly causing the false starts.
As a result:
- Kennedy and Queally received one-day suspensions for misconduct at the start.
- Gilligan and O’Keefe were handed two-day suspensions, as this marked their second offence within a 12-month period.
This disciplinary action underscores the heightened tensions and procedural breaches that marred the opening race of the day, compounding the controversy surrounding the alleged abusive exchange.
