By Jon Lees
Saudi Arabia: David Egan will have to forfeit a cool $100,000 (about £71,000) – ten per cent of his prize-money share from the $20 million Saudi Cup – because he breached the whip rules in winning the world’s richest race on Mishriff.
Mike Smith, heavily sanctioned after last year’s race for his use of the whip, also picked up another ban for his efforts in Riyadh – though this time it was a two-day suspension for causing interference early in the race on runner-up Charlatan.
‘He looked a million dollars … well, ten million!’ – David Egan’s Saudi Cup in his own words
Egan was called before Saudi Jockey Club stewards after guiding the John Gosden-trained Mishriff to a one-length victory over US hope Charlatan at the King Abdulaziz racecourse.
The 21-year-old was found to have used his whip above the Saudi Jockey Club’s ten-strike limit on Mishriff, which earned him a two-day suspension plus the loss of part of his winnings of the $10m first prize.
Stipendiary steward Phil Tuck said: “We took into account that two hits were down the shoulder in the backhand position and considered that he used his whip 11 times behind the saddle. He had ten per cent of his prize-money deducted.”
Tweve months after a controversial visit to Saudi Arabia, Hall of Famer Smith was again penalised – this time for interference caused by Charlatan to Sleepy Eyes Todd about 100 metres from the start, earning his rider a two-day suspension.
Last year Smith and another top US rider Irad Ortiz were caught out by Saudi Arabia’s whip rules, with Smith collecting nine days in bans on Saudi Cup runner-up Midnight Bisou and forfeiting 60 per cent – more than $210,000 – of his prize-money. Ortiz picked up a total of ten days in bans over the two days and lost 10 per cent of his prize-money from fourth-placed Mucho Gusto.
Cieren Fallon was suspended for three days for causing interference in the Riyadh Dirt Sprint on July Cup winner Oxted.
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