3 minute read

Jim Crowley has claimed he was the victim of an unprovoked attack after he was struck in the face by fellow jockey Raul da Silva at Goodwood.

Jim Crowley  has claimed he was the victim of an unprovoked attack after being struck in the face by Raul Da Silva  following a race at Goodwood in which they both rode.

Da Silva was suspended for 21 days for violent conduct after the two riders were involved in an altercation.

In a statement issued to Press Association Sport, the 2016 champion jockey alleged he was struck "with what felt like a piece of lead" after a "number of jockeys" questioned Da Silva's riding technique.

Da Silva told the Racing Post on Sunday that "Jim came up to me and was aggressive", but Crowley, who required medical treatment in hospital for facial injuries, said that was "categorically untrue".

"There was a minor disagreement over a race-riding incident with a number of jockeys not happy with Raul's riding," he said.

"After this, I was the victim of an unprovoked attack from behind with what felt like a piece of lead, and it is disappointing that I have then been accused of being the aggressor.

"This is categorically untrue and it is notable that after a lengthy inquiry that heard from many witnesses, only one of us was suspended.

"I have no further comment to make and will leave the matter in the hands of the BHA (British Horseracing Authority)."

Twenty-one days is the British Horseracing Authority's maximum recommended suspension for violent conduct, but racing's rulers says it has "the ability to reopen such cases, if it is felt necessary".

"Before assessing whether such action is required the BHA would first review the stewards' inquiry recordings and hold conversations with any appropriate individuals," a BHA statement said.

"The BHA will now carry out these procedures before determining how to proceed."