Watch: Jockey has banned reduced for controversial ride

Rossa Ryan will be free to ride at York’s prestigious Ebor Festival after successfully appealing the severity of the suspension he received for his controversial ride aboard Thunder Home at Sandown.

The jockey’s original 28-day ban was reduced to 10 days after an appeal panel ruled it was not satisfied Thunder Home would have definitely won had Ryan continued to ride the colt out to the finish.

BREAKING: Jockey Rossa Ryan’s 28-day ban for easing up on Thunder Home at Sandown last month reduced to 10 days from 28 days on appeal
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Instead, the panel determined the horse only could have won, a distinction that carries a significantly lighter penalty under the rules.

Ryan had argued throughout the three-hour hearing that he had not breached the rules and should not be suspended.

“I have never stopped riding my mount,” Ryan insisted, although the appeal panel ultimately rejected that submission.

The revised suspension will begin on August 6 and conclude well before the York Ebor Festival commences 13 days later.

Ryan defended his actions by explaining he was mindful of educating the inexperienced two-year-old rather than placing unnecessary pressure on the colt.

“He’s an inexperienced two-year-old. I’ve probably put my horse and all the rest under pressure from a good way out, because of my modest fractions early on,” he said.

Reviewing the replay during the hearing, Ryan added: “I’m very conscious that this is where I could hit a brick wall. I put my stick down because the horse has given me everything, he’s worked incredibly hard.

“With a two-year-old, the biggest thing is about teaching them to become a racehorse. He seems like an honest lad, he’s given me everything. I’m still going forward and pushing.”

British Horseracing Authority representative Catherine Daly argued Ryan believed the race was already won, pointing to comments he made immediately after the event, including that he thought he had the race secured.

Ryan maintained there was a difference between what he was thinking and how he was riding.

“Me thinking and me doing are two different things. I may have thought it, but I still pushed my mount out to the line,” he said.

He also explained he had adjusted his balance as Thunder Home began to tire.

“I’m adjusting to keep in rhythm with my horse. When a horse is slowing down, you can’t push him any faster than he can go.”

Appeal panel chairman James O’Mahony said the panel preferred the British Horseracing Authority’s interpretation of the ride and upheld the finding that Ryan had breached the rules.

However, the panel concluded there was insufficient evidence to determine Thunder Home would certainly have won, reducing the penalty from 28 days to 10 and allowing Ryan to take his place at one of Britain’s biggest racing carnivals.