TOP jockey Danny Mullins has been fined thousands of pounds after a parade ring incident while on a horse trained by his uncle Willie.
The legendary jumps trainer and arguably the most powerful man in the sport was also fined following the feature Galway Hurdle on Thursday.
Top jumps jockey Danny Mullins, right, copped a hefty fine after his actions in the Galway parade ring while aboard a horse trained by his uncle Willie Credit: PA
Dan King, 21, is being labelled the next big thing in racing and a champion jockey-in-waiting after his astonishing Galway Plate and Hurdle double Credit: Sportsfile
Danny got the leg up on Willie’s Tounsivator in the Grade 3 handicap, and he was one of the fancied horses in the race.
However, the stewards’ report said the horse, a seven-year-old gelding having his third run this month, became fractious in the parade ring.
It was at this point that the horse was ‘repeatedly turned back against the flow of the other parading horses and circled at the exit gate causing congestion amongst the other runners’.
Explaining what happened next, the stewards’ report read: “Evidence was heard from David Casey (Mullins’ assistant) who stated that he was unaware that the horse had been turned back as he was with other riders and he further added that both he and all of W. P. Mullins’ staff are conversant with the procedures.
“Evidence was also heard from D. E. Mullins who stated that he had instructed the groom to turn the horse back as he did not want to be late down to the start.
“Having considered the evidence, the Raceday Stewards were satisfied that W. P. Mullins was in breach of Regulation 16, as pursuant to Rule 148, and also D. E. Mullins was in breach of Regulation 16, by not allowing the horse to proceed around the parade ring prior to the signal to mount being given.
“Having considered W. P. Mullins’ record in this regard (first offence) the Raceday Stewards fined W. P. Mullins €500 (£430) on this occasion.
“Having considered D. E. Mullins’ record in this regard (first offence) the Raceday Stewards fined D. E. Mullins €500 (£430) on this occasion.
“Furthermore, the Raceday Stewards were satisfied that D. E. Mullins was in breach of Rule 272 (i), by his conduct in directing the groom to turn the horse back and forth across the grass when in close proximity to the crowd when it was already being quite fractious, and having considered his record in this regard (first offence) the Raceday Stewards fined D. E. Mullins €2,500 (£2,140) on this occasion.”
Tounsivator ultimately finished 16th of 20 runners, beaten 43 lengths by Tony Martin’s winner Putapoundinthejar.
The winner was ridden by ‘next Ruby Walsh’, Daniel King.
He completed a historic double – the first time in 42 years it has been done – by winning the Hurdle and the Plate in the same week.
King, 21, won the Plate on the Mullins-trained King Alexander.
Barry Geraghty was one of those blown away by the superstar new jockey – who many believe is destined to become champion jockey.
He said: “For a 21-year-old to win the Galway Plate and the Galway Hurdle – so clever, so cute, a brilliant ride.
“It’s brilliant to watch class at play – and this was class.”
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