Jose Gomez has been suspended from riding for six months after police were called to a weighing room punch-up at a race meeting in Spain. The altercation took place on Sunday at Sanlucar de Barrameda in Cadiz, where races are staged on the beach.
Gomez and fellow jockey Ricardo Valle were involved in the physical fight after a race in which Valle rode Irish-bred Big Bad Wolf to an emphatic victory, finishing seven lengths clear of his nearest rival. Gomez finished back in fifth on Stepinmydirection.
Stewards alerted to fight
Stewards were alerted to the physical altercation between Gomez and Valle in the jockeys' room afterwards. Other jockeys, trainers and security intervened to separate the pair, with police also present.
At a stewards inquiry, Gomez accused Valle of making a dangerous manoeuvre on one of the turns, causing his horse to stumble and nearly fall. He added that when he had confronted Valle about it, he had been 'insulted and disrespected', which led to a fight.
Witness accounts of the incident
Gomez said he would not tolerate any jockey making dangerous maneuvers and then, instead of apologizing, mocking and insulting him. Valle told stewards he did not know what Gomez had been upset about but while in the jockeys' room he was punched by Gomez.
Amateur rider Pablo Laborde said he was struck on the nose as he tried to separate the pair. Nicolas de Julian said Gomez went to hit Valle and he tried to calm him down. He believed the fight stemmed from an incident in the race where Valle's horse went wide, interfering with Gomez's mount, who had to be eased up to avoid tripping.
Punishment and fine
Alvarez Gomez, who was sitting next to Valle, said Jose Gomez lunged at the jockey and began hitting him 'causing him to even fall to the ground, with everyone present having to intervene to separate them, those who tried receiving accidental blows'.
Jose Gomez, who has ridden 22 winners in Spain, admitted to the assault and was given the maximum punishment of a six month ban from riding and fined £1,200. Valle was fined £170 for moving out on the turn. Spanish police said Valle had indicated he planned to file a complaint once his injuries had been assessed.
