The British Horseracing Authority has acknowledged jockey Hollie Doyle's concerns regarding the handling of a recent stewards' inquiry and expressed their thanks to Doyle on Monday.
During a BHA inquiry last month, Doyle indicated concern over the inquiry process itself. Doyle's inquiry dealt with improper use of the whip aboard Echo Brava (GB) (Proclamation {Ire}) at Kempton in January and resulted in a six-day ban. She opted to appeal, in part due to the stewards' tone when conducting the original inquiry.
“It's important all parties involved in a stewards' inquiry have faith in the process and feel that they are given the opportunity to state their views in an objective environment,” said a BHA spokesman. “We are grateful to Hollie for raising the concerns she had following her experience at Kempton.
“Over the past two years the BHA has developed and facilitated training for all stewards across the country on process and procedure–and while the pandemic has had an impact on that, further professional development in this regard is ongoing and planned in 2021.
“We also note the disciplinary panel, in dismissing the appeal against the six-day ban Hollie Doyle received for using her whip in the incorrect place, felt she had been able to make all of the points she hoped to raise in responding to the charge in the original inquiry.”
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