Conditional Jockey, Tom Buckley (22), has received his second ban of the season after he rode the wrong track on horse, Sindabella at Leicester on Wednesday 28th December.
Buckley’s first ban, of 14 days, came in September 2022 during the 2m1f novice hurdle at Newton Abbot, riding Watchoutitscookie, another Hawke trained horse.
Based with Paul Nichols, Buckley had two lengths in hand on Wednesday during the 2n4c1/2f Handicap Hurdle, as he tuned to the home straight. However, despite the strong start, the pair rode forward taking the chase track side of the rail, instead of the hurdle.
When interviewed and questioned on the incident, Buckley explained he had his head down and hadn’t noticed he was riding the wrong side of the marker. When he noticed his mistake, he pulled the horse up.
The British Horse Racing Authority‘s (BHA) report concluded the 12 day suspension was for “take the wrong course”.
In September, the 3lb claimer was banned after not making enough effort to obtain the best possible placing.
Had Buckley have won the race, he would have collected his 12th win of the season, a costly mistake indeed.
In another incident during January, 2021, Buckley was knocked out following a fall riding Glass of Bubbles at Plumpton. Although the jockey spent several minutes unconscious, he came around and was later driven home. Unfortunately, the 4 year old mare who had appeared to be blinded by low sun in the straight, was sadly pronounced dead.
Buckley’s ban runs from January 11-22, 2023.
Suzanne Ashton, Founder of Everything Horse (Est, 2012), has a BA Hons in Marketing Management and a Diploma in Equine Science. Suzanne has ridden and owned horses all her life and has twelve years of experience in marketing, writing, design, SEO, and website creation.