South African apprentice jockey Dylan Caboche has issued an apology but a two week suspension stands for him after he was seen punching his horse in the ribs after a race.
The Thoroughbred Racing South Australia Stewards suspended Caboche under a misconduct charge.
Rider suspension – Port Lincoln 8/11/17 – Race 2 SHE’S RENELDASGIRL – Dylan Caboche was suspended under rule AR175(q) (misconduct) for striking his mount prior to loading. Suspended from midnight 17/11/17 to 1/12/17.
— TRSA Stewards (@TRSAStewards) November 8, 2017
Caboche was guiding his horse Reneldsagirl into the stalls. But the video captured him struggling to control the horse. Other people around was trying to help when Caboche got off the horse and hit the horse.
I want to genuinely, sincerely and unreservedly apologise to everyone for my actions. I understand what I did was completely unacceptable. My apology goes to the horse’s connections, my fellow jockeys, Thoroughbred Racing SA, the racing public and to the wider community in general,” Caboche said.
“Any explanation dealing with why it happened can’t possibly condone what I did. I’m just so disappointed in myself. I understand and accept that no matter how difficult my mount was, it can’t justify what I did.”
The 22-year-old apprentice jockey looked like he hit the horse with the butt of the horsewhip.
On social media, some people thought the sentence was too light.
Seriously ban him thats animal abuse two weeks wont do anything
— alicia (@AliciaAlicia201) November 8, 2017