Thoroughbred – Stewards’ Inquiry – Jockey Douglas Whyte – SCALES OF JUSTICE
12 December, 2016
Thoroughbred
Stewards today concluded the adjourned inquiry into Jockey Douglas Whyte’s riding of SCALES OF JUSTICE over the concluding stages of Race 8 the Peters Investments-Kingston Town Classic over 1800m at Ascot Racecourse on Saturday, 3 December 2016.
Jockey Whyte had previously entered a plea of not guilty to a charge under AR137(b) for failing to ride his mount out to the end of the race with the Inquiry subsequently being adjourned at his request to allow the gelding’s Trainer, Mr Lindsey Smith and the Managing Owner, Mr C Wells to be present.
Further evidence was taken from Jockey D. Whyte and Trainer Mr Lindsey Smith. Mr C Wells, and Jockey Damian Lane, who was also requested to provide a statement to the inquiry by Jockey D Whyte, gave evidence via phone-link up from Hong Kong.
After taking all evidence into consideration, Stewards found Jockey D. Whyte guilty of the charge and imposed a suspension from riding in races for a period of one (1) month to commence from midnight 17 December 2016 and to expire at midnight on 17 January 2017. In determining penalty Stewards took into account:
- The seriousness of the charge
- That the offence occurred in a Group One event
- Mr Whyte’s prior very good record throughout his career under the rule