Jockey Rossa Ryan has been handed a 28-day suspension after stewards ruled he failed to take all reasonable and permissible measures aboard Thunder Home in Thursday’s Martin Densham & Peter Deal Memorial British EBF Maiden Stakes at Sandown.
Ryan appeared to ease his mount down too early in the closing stages, allowing Jamie Spencer aboard Zero Error to launch a late challenge and snatch victory in a photo finish.
🚨 BREAKING: Rossa Ryan handed a 28 day ban for easing down prematurely on Thunder Home at Sandown today.
Do you think the heavy ban is justified? 🤯 pic.twitter.com/p9kxrSllFZ
— Stephen R Power (@racingblogger) July 23, 2026
After reviewing the race, stewards determined Ryan’s actions had cost his mount the win and imposed a 28-day suspension running from August 6 to September 2.
The ban comes in addition to a separate six-day suspension for excessive whip use during the race.
The timing of the penalty is a significant blow to Ryan’s jockeys’ premiership hopes. Currently sitting third in the standings with 58 winners, he will miss several major meetings, including the prestigious York Ebor Festival.
The decision has sparked widespread debate within racing circles, with differing opinions over whether Ryan’s lapse ultimately denied his mount victory, despite stewards concluding the horse would have won had it been ridden out to the finish.
