Disciplinary Panel Enquiries

ELTON FOX - MR RJ COOPER

UTTOXETER CHRISTMAS MEETING, 2011
The Uttoxeter Racecourse Annual Badge Holders Maiden Hurdle

The Disciplinary Panel of the British Horseracing Authority on 12 January 2012 held an enquiry to establish whether or not Mr R J Cooper, the rider of the winner, ELTON FOX, had committed a breach of Schedule (B)6 Part 2 of the Rules of Racing, concerning his use of the whip when riding in the Uttoxeter Racecourse Annual Badge Holders Maiden Hurdle at Uttoxeter on 31 December 2011. The matter was referred to the Authority by the Uttoxeter Stewards following their enquiry of the same day because Mr Cooper’s use of the whip warranted a suspension of more than 20 days for a first offence.

The Panel considered evidence from Mr Cooper and viewed video recordings of the race.

The Panel accepted an admission from Mr Cooper that he was in breach of Schedule (B)6 Part 2, in that he used his whip with excessive frequency and also found him in breach in respect of using his whip without time to respond. The Panel noted that Mr Cooper had hit ELTON FOX a total of 23 times, which included 14 after the last hurdle of which 12 hits were without time to respond.

The Panel suspended Mr Cooper for 52 days on Sunday 22, Thursday 26 January, Wednesday 1, Thursday 2, Saturday 4, Sunday 5, Tuesday 7, Wednesday 8, Thursday 9, Friday 10, Tuesday 14, Wednesday 15, Thursday 16, Friday 17, Saturday 18, Sunday 19, Tuesday 21, Wednesday 22, Thursday 23, Sunday 26, Monday 27, Tuesday 28, Wednesday 29 February, Thursday 1, Saturday 3, Wednesday 7, Friday 9, Sunday 11, Monday 12, Wednesday 14, Thursday 15, Friday 16, Sunday 18, Monday 19, Tuesday 20, Wednesday 21, Thursday 22, Friday 23, Wednesday 28, Thursday 29, Friday 30 March 2012 and on 11 other dates to be notified to him by the British Horseracing Authority.

Nicky Vigors
Hopper Cavendish
Sandra Arkwright
12 January 2012