Pat Cosgrave. Long holiday for his ride on De Kock horse
Jockey Pat Cosgrave has been given a six-month ban for improper riding by the Emirates Racing Authority.
The 31-year-old, who has claimed a handful of Group One sprints in Britain, was aboard third-placed Mike De Kock trained Anaerobio in the Group One Jebel Hatta at Meydan on March 8.
Cosgrave set a slow pace on the 20-1 outsider, just in front of eventual winner Vercingetorix, who is also trained by Mike de Kock, and could be seen looking around to the stablemate before appearing to move wide on the home straight.
The penalty has been back-dated to start on March 17 and is due to finish at midnight on September 17.
The ERA stewards looked into the replay from the last three furlongs in what was a second hearing into the matter. They took evidence from Cosgrave, De Kock and Vercingetorix’s rider Christophe Soumillon.
An ERA statement read: “Jockey Patrick Cosgrave was found guilty to a charge of improper riding pursuant to ERA 69 (i).
“The particulars of the charge being that when riding Anaerobio, passing the 600 metres until approaching the 400 metres Cosgrave looked back to his inside on at least three occasions and at the turn into the home straight he intentionally allowed his mount to shift out approximately three horses, thereby allowing stablemate Vercingetorix a clear inside run.
Mike De Kock
“In considering penalty the stewards were cognizant of the following: the seriousness of the charge; the blatant breach of Rule 69 (i) in relation to improper riding; the detrimental image to racing as a result of this matter the Jebel Hatta was a Group One race with prize-money of 300,000USD; Cosgrave’s personal circumstances.
“There was no evidence to implicate either Soumillon or De Kock in relation to Cosgrave’s charge and therefore no action was taken against those persons.”
The ban could stand in racing authorities worldwide.
Paul Struthers, chief executive of the Professional Jockeys Association, tweeted: “I can confirm that @PJAOfficial is in contact with Pat Cosgrave and will advise/take advice on a possible appeal.”
Confirming the British Horseracing Authority’s stance, spokesman Robin Mounsey said: “We are aware of the reports regarding the suspension imposed upon Pat Cosgrave.
“Should the ERA request that BHA reciprocate any suspension then we would do so, as is required under our rules.
“An application can be made to BHA for this penalty not to be reciprocated, but no application can be submitted and considered by the disciplinary panel until Cosgrave has exhausted the appeal procedures in Dubai.”
