Sanction pending - Apprentice jockey facing punishment after being caught with ‘battery’
Published:Tuesday | August 18, 2020 | 12:08 AMRobert Bailey/Gleaner Writer
Apprentice jockey Anthony Allen is now facing a lengthy spell on the sidelines after he was found with an illegal device, also known as a “battery,” at Caymanas Park on Saturday.
Jamaica Racing Commission (JRC) Chairman Clovis Metcalfe told The Gleaner that Allen, who was to board JON MARSHALL in the fifth race on Saturday, was found with the electrical device in his gloves at the starting gate, after he was searched by the racing officials.
“We asked him why he had it and he said it was to assist the horse so that the horse can hold up his head and run better, so he was seeking an unfair advantage,” Metcalfe said.
“We subsequently disqualified the horse JON MARSHALL from the race and this was the same horse that we also caught a jockey on with a battery last year.
“We stood him (Allen) down for the race day and also for the race day on Sunday. We have an inquiry [today] and he will not be able to ride until a decision has been made with regard to his future.”
Apprentice Jawani Forbes was the jockey that Metcalfe made reference to being caught last year. He was found with a battery aboard JON MARSHALL during a search at the starting gate on January 5, 2019. He was given a two-year ban and fined $250,000 by the First Instance Tribunal of the JRC.
Metcalfe said that Allen’s actions seem much more deliberate, so he is facing a much harsher punishment from the JRC.
“The last punishment for an offence like this was two-years and $250,000 fine, but this one looks more blatant and it could carry him well over two years,” Metcalfe said.
DANGEROUS PRACTICE
Sophia Ramlal, senior veterinarian of the JRC, said the use of a battery in a race is a very dangerous practice, therefore the jockeys should desist from doing this.
“The batteries deliver an electric shock and a horse that is going 30 to 40 miles an hour, it can cause that horse to react very suddenly, very quickly and very unpredictably,” she said.
“It is a very dangerous and a very risky procedure because you can never predict the outcome of what is going to happen because every horse responds differently and depending on the prevailing conditions, anything can happen.”
Metcalfe says that the JRC has increased its search of jockeys at Caymanas Park on race days after the recent purchase of three metal detectors.
“What I will tell the jockeys is that if they want to earn from the profession, then they should abide by the guidelines and if they don’t, the Racing Commission is stepping up efforts to curtail any dishonesty within the industry,” he said.
“The commission is committed to transparency and integrity in the sport and dishonesty at all levels will not be tolerated. This is mandatory if we are to grow the sport and win the confidence of all stakeholders.”