Whip ban for jockey who nearly pulled off defeat of City Of Troy in Eclipse (original) (raw)

Dylan Browne McMonagle came within a length of beating the Derby winner at Sandown but his effort has resulted in an eight day suspension

Dylan Browne McMonagle (right on Al Riffa) breached the whip rules in the Eclipse won by City Of Troy (left)

The jockey who came close to pulling off one of the shocks of the summer has been punished with a whip ban.

Dylan Browne McMonage, stable jockey to Joseph O’Brien, was riding 11-1 chance Al Riffa in the Group 1 Coral-Eclipse Stakes.

With Derby winner City Of Troy starting the 1-4 favourite, few gave McMonagle a prayer of winning at Sandown Park.

Yet with City Of Troy labouring when taken to the front, Al Riffa loomed up dangerously from the back of the field to threaten an upset before the favourite found a bit extra.

City Of Troy’s trainer Aidan O’Brien revealed afterwards, “Dylan said he thought he had him but he kept finding.”

And Joseph O’Brien said: “I think we all thought for a moment he was going to make it interesting and he did.

“It was a fantastic run and the first time he has had a bit of juice in the ground since the National Stakes (in 2022).

“We’ll probably make the rest of the season all about the Arc, which will be his main target. He should enjoy the mile and a half as his family is all stamina. It looked like a mile and a half will suit him on his run today.”

However after the race McMonagle was summoned before the stewards over his whip use and referred to the BHA’s Whip Review Committee.

Dylan Browne McMonagle (centre) with Joseph O'Brien: picked up eight day ban (

Image:

PA)

That panel ruled that McMonagle had breached the whip rules for which the punishment is more severe because of the status of the race.

McMonagle was found to have used his whip once above the permitted level of six from approximately one and a half furlongs out.

The report said: “Taking into account that this was a Class 1 race, the penalty was doubled. Therefore, he will be suspended for 8 days from Tuesday 23 to Tuesday 30 July inclusive.”

Unless he successfully appeals, the suspension covers a period which includes the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes meeting at Ascot and the first day of Glorious Goodwood.