Jockey Christophe Soumillon could lose licence after police intervene over infamous elbow incident
CHRISTOPHE SOUMILLON could face further punishment for elbowing Rossa Ryan off his horse after a dramatic intervention by French police.
The Belgian was suspended for two months after he incredibly pushed Ryan out of the saddle in the middle of a race at Saint-Cloud on September 30.
Soumillon faces an extended ban after intervention by French policePA
Rossa Ryan was lucky to escape serious injury after being pushed off his horse
There was widespread outcry and shock at the incident, and he was subsequently sacked as retained jockey to billionaire owner the Aga Khan.
Ryan luckily escaped injury, and Soumillon was controversially still allowed to ride in the Arc de Triomphe two days after the infamous elbow, eventually finishing second in the big race aboard Vadeni.
His ban was due to expire on December 12, but the French ‘gaming police’ this week mailed a letter to the racing authorities at France Galop requesting that it be extended – or Soumillon be stripped of his licence entirely.
They called his behaviour ‘voluntary and dangerous’ and revealed that they have previously contacted Soumillon in May asking him to change his riding style, as they felt he was putting other jockeys at risk.
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The letter said: “The fall of Rossa Ryan was not accidental, but was caused by Christophe Soumillon.
“This behaviour is voluntary and dangerous.
“The deliberate, dangerous behavior of Mr Soumillon, in the middle of the race and at a high speed in the stretch, presents a serious risk to the public order within horse racing.”
The gaming police have called for Soumillon to be banned for at least six months – which would run until early April.
But if he loses his licence entirely, he will be out of the saddle for an indefinite length of time before being allowed to reapply.
Immediately after the incident, Soumillon apologised and said his conduct was ‘unacceptable’.
He later paid £6,200 to trainer Ralph Beckett, covering the costs of his horse Captain Weirzba who ended up having a wasted trip to France after Ryan was pushed off mid-race.
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