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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Sport
Greg Wood

Billy Loughnane’s bid to become champion jockey hit by 21-day ban

Billy Loughnane
Billy Loughnane is second favourite to win the 2026 jockeys’ championship. Photograph: Mike Egerton/PA

Billy Loughnane, who will be Britain’s youngest champion jockey on the Flat since Frank Wootton in 1909 if he takes the title this season, has lodged an appeal against a 21-day ban imposed by the stewards at Southwell for riding a horse back to the unsaddling enclosure after it had been scratched from a race on vets’ orders.

Loughnane’s mount, Beelzebub, was kicked at the start before the final race on Thursday evening and deemed to be lame following a veterinary examination. Loughnane, who was suspended for improper riding, has appealed against both the finding of the stewards’ inquiry and the penalty.

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