Controversy at Windsor! James Doyle avoids suspension as odds-on favourite falters at line

James Doyle talks Matt Chapman and viewers through the head-on angle after avoiding a suspension for the ride on No Retreat at Windsor....
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[paulspencer]

I was there everybody there said it deserved a suspension Roger varian the trainer looked furious I wonder if it had been a apprentice and not a high profile jockey would the punishment been different

[samsonpug]

I don’t blame Doyle for not getting a suspension. The Windsor stewards are to blame. They are usually spineless. Doyle messed up-but the racing authorities have got to get a grip.

Their mission?


“Our mission, vision and strategy are underpinned by our values. The smallest actions and decisions we make every day that decide what kind of business we are. How we work with each other, how we bring pride to our work, how we welcome people in – everyday.”

The business is inept, inconsistent and careless.

[nikitahogan]

Should be investigated if they didn’t ban him for this they should be banned themselves that’s crazy to much fixing in horse racing

[wolfcamera]

He eased up. No question. Should have been suspended 100%.

[goldenboots]

I like James doyle but the excuse was ridiculous. He stopped riding. Just hold up your hands and just say you made a mistake. People can make mistakes

[gavinparkes]

"spooked by the winning line"...hahaha 😆

[ErrolJohnson-xm]

your only mount on the card a 1, 200, 000 horse in the breeze up sales, should win on 3 legs!! Dropped his hands saying horse was spooked and stewards saw nothing untoward in his riding!! Again taking punters for mugs!!

[stevejames]

James Doyle is full of it. He clearly thought he’d won the race and eased down. The reason he hasn’t accepted responsibility is he’s shit scared of losing the Wathnan job. He lost at least 2 races at Goodwood that he should have won for the sponsors. He’s on very thin ice I think

[Ruszky]

Just think you are investing your hard earned money on this for so called ‘enjoyment’ robbed thousands of us here like what’s happened many times before. No wonder racings dying now they should just do away with it when thing’s like this happening. Then you’ve got Ryan Reynolds here with his Bafta award winning acting and Matt Chapman defending him with his life.. save your money Folks

[Ruszky]

Man literally said the horse was spooked by an invisible to it’s eyes finishing line😩 give over man🤣

[rackspack]

Disgraceful that Doyle got away with this. He stood up in the irons thinking he had it won and got caught. Claiming the horse "was spooked by the finishing line" is just insulting peoples intelligence. The stewards letting this slide as just as bad. Many visitors to Windsor tonight were vowing not to return after seeing this. Just another day where this great sport shoots itself in the foot yet again.

[Kevin-rzjd]

Quite simple he stopped riding and got caught if he'd have kept pushing he'd have won should be banned ☹

[dennisnorton]

Sorry poor excuse . Bit like Marquand not riding well at all

[theLowestPointInMyLife]

I wouldnt have two bob on James Doyle these days, I remember years ago he was almost on the same level as Buick when they were coming through, but Buick went to the top and Doyle became a journeyman.

[kh]

In many jurisdictions jockeys are not required for stewards enquiries because the stewards apply the rule book according to their judgement. This incident highlights in one go why stewards still maintain a relationship with jockeys in Britain where jockeys are consulted to 'inform' their decision. I watch thousands of races each year. Professional race comments writers also watch thousands of races a year. Their comments for this race say, 'eased THEN edged left'. Everyone can see that the horse gave more problems after the jockey stopped riding it out. The problem with British racing is there is far too much interpretation as it tries to be all things to all men when its obvious that if this jockey is stronger in the finish he wins this race. Hes already 1/3 length up and just needs to push its head out, you can even see the horse looking back for the jockeys response. The jockey should also know there is a bend coming up and horses naturally turn left at this track after the line. So i dont buy his line of not knowing what the horse will do next. It smacks of either incompetence or plain bullshit. The horse does fidget at the line but only after the jockey eases off. I cannot see any visible reason why he could not have waited for a couple of more strides before easing the horse if he feared it was troublesome.

[herberthartwig]

You could plainly see he stopped riding before the line which resulted in getting beat, his excuse don’t wash with me and personally speaking a ban wood have been the right punishment.

[MattyMurtagh]

Its a difficult one. The horse certainly looks green but a jockey of his experience could have made a better effort to keep him straight.

[nufc]

Absolute disgrace, he stopped riding and got beat. Clear suspension!

[michaelc]

Doyle, you ****, don’t blame the horse. You were clearly pulling him up in the final few strides, trying to be cocky. It’s so nice to hear you feel sorry for me, you cost me a treble. Ban him!

[B]

Show us his bank statements after the race 😂