DATE SET FOR SEAN FOX HEARING

06 Aug 2004 Pre-2014 Releases

Date Set For Sean Fox Hearing

Published: 6 August 2004

It has been confirmed that the Disciplinary Panel of the Jockey Club will hold a hearing on Friday 10th September to consider the appeal lodged by Sean Fox against the 21 day suspension imposed by the Fontwell Stewards on 8th March.

At the hearing the Disciplinary Panel will consider the evidence which was before the Fontwell Stewards as well as evidence which came to light as a result of a Jockey Club Security Department investigation instigated after the racecourse enquiry on 8th March.

Sean Fox has been notified that the enquiry will seek to establish whether or not, in his capacity as the rider of Ice Saint in the Cantor Sport Beginners’ Chase at Fontwell on 8th 2004, he committed a breach of:

1) Rule 157 of the Rules of Racing, by failing to take all reasonable and permissible measures throughout the race to ensure that Ice Saint was given a full opportunity to obtain the best possible placing with the intention of affecting the result of the race by stepping off the gelding after jumping the ninth fence;

Or, if the Disciplinary Panel is not satisfied that the circumstances specified in Rule 157 apply,

2) Rule 158 of the Rules of Racing, by failing to take all reasonable and permissible measures throughout the race to ensure that Ice Saint was given a full opportunity to obtain the best possible placing by stepping off the gelding after jumping the ninth fence.

At their enquiry on 8th March, the Fontwell Stewards decided that Sean Fox had acted in breach of Rule 157 and suspended him from riding for 21 days. Sean Fox lodged an appeal against the suspension, however, the holding of the hearing was deferred until the Security Department’s investigation into the race had been completed.

6th August 2004

Notes for Editors:
1. Rule 157 reads: Where, in the opinion of the Stewards or the Stewards of the Jockey Club, a Rider has intentionally failed to ensure that his horse is run on its merits the Rider shall be deemed in breach of this Rule and guilty of an offence.

2. Rule 158 reads: Where, in the opinion of the Stewards or the Stewards of the Jockey Club, a Rider has failed to ensure his horse is run on its merits the Rider shall be deemed in breach of this Rule and guilty of an offence, provided that no Rider guilty of an offence under either Rule 156 or 157 shall also be found guilty of an offence under this Rule.