The young jockey’s ban sparked a war of words between racing’s ruling body and the Professional Jockeys Association
A six-month cocaine ban for a young jockey provoked a war of words on Thursday between racing’s ruling body and the Professional Jockeys Association, whose chief executive made an emotionally charged statement accusing the
British Horseracing Authority of a last-ditch betrayal, which its officials vigorously denied. “This is a really dark day for the BHA,” declared Paul Struthers, moments after a panel confirmed that 23-year-old Robbie Downey would have to serve a suspension handed down by French officials, even though Downey insists he has never taken cocaine and could not follow the original proceedings, as he does not understand French.
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