Irish amateur Declan Querrey has accused British jockey Nico de Boinville of being “abusive” ahead of the Turner Novice Hurdle.
The second day’s opener at Cheltenham started almost four minutes late after a lengthy effort to get the 21 runners into proper positions, with de Boinville and Cukely colliding as they jostled for position close to the tape.
Returning to the weigh-in room after the race, the jockey, who finished fifth in Mount Isle Thought That, told ITV Racing:
“I was being abused by Nico de Boinville, a British rider, and it’s not very good. It’s terrible because I’m an amateur and I’m here riding in front of kids.”
Jockey de Boinville, who rode runner-up Act of Innocence to the Gold Cup in 2015 with Coney Gree, replied: “Maybe I should look in the mirror.”
Declan Querrey riding I’ll Thought That in November
Mr Quarry lodged a complaint following the incident, but stewards adjourned the matter to gather further evidence.
Query is also one of four jockeys suspended for one day after being found to be in violation of regulations by stewards at the start of the race.
The report said: “The starters reported that Ballyfad’s Jockey Kennedy, I’ll Thought That’s Mr D. Cucley, Skylight Hustle’s Danny Gilligan and Walks in June’s Darragh O’Keeffe failed to approach the tape with a walk or zig-jog, resulting in a false start and a standing start.”
Analyzing the start on ITV, great jockeys Ruby Walsh and Sir Anthony McCoy felt both riders were entitled to defend their positions, with Walsh reiterating his position that changes to the start procedure were needed.
Mr McCoy said: “Some people have the same right to be there as anyone else. I’m not saying you should be there, no matter who you are. I don’t think Declan did that much wrong. I don’t think one person has any more right to be there than another.”
Walsh added: “That’s Nico de Boinville who rode Jonbon last year and put his head on the tape. Maybe he needs to look in the mirror too. He needs a rolling start.”
“I’ve been saying for a long time that if they walked in front of the tape and it moved in front of the horse, none of this drama would happen.”
