O'Neill headbutting hearing delayed
Paul O’Neill is not likely to go before a Horseracing Regulatory Authority (HRA) disciplinary panel until a week on Monday at the earliest.
O’Neill has this week been the subject of worldwide adverse publicity after television cameras showed him appearing to headbutt a horse at Stratford on Sunday.
The Irish rider was angered at the behaviour of the John O’Shea-trained City Affair before the Claydon Horse Exercisers Novices’ Selling Hurdle, in which the pair finished fourth.
The five-year-old horse grew unruly in the paddock and then unseated the jockey - who received a caution by the Stratford stewards for his use of the whip during the race – at the start.
Having reviewed video footage of the incident, the HRA, who have received more than 100 complaints from members of the public, will now hold an inquiry from which the jockey can expect to be hit with a lengthy ban.
O’Neill faces a suspension of between one to 21 days but is not expected to appear before a disciplinary panel next week, as had been expected.
“We can’t – and don’t – condone Paul’s actions and fortunately behaviour like this is extremely rare,” explained HRA public relations manager Paul Struthers.
“Due to a busy schedule of inquiries both this week and next, it is looking increasingly likely that the hearing will be week commencing August 6.”
O’Neill apologised unreservedly but insisted the television footage portrayed the incident to be far worse than it was.
“I really shouldn’t have done it,” he said. “It was a mistake – a spur of the moment thing really.
“Before the race he was unruly in the parade ring. He then ducked under the railing and I had a job getting him to the start.
“After that I was walking around with the other horses and he just whipped off and bolted towards a car. He then ducked left and right and I fell off and did that stupid thing.
“There was no venom in the headbutt; the peak of my cap just hit the horse’s nose.
“I’m a lover of horses – I wouldn’t be in this game otherwise – and that was the first time I’ve ever done anything like that and it will be the last time.
“But when you are on a horse’s back and you are heading towards a car, and have been put through railings before that, it’s not a very nice experience,” O’Neill told BBC Radio Five Live.
The RSPCA said it will wait to see what punishment is imposed by the HRA before deciding whether to take the matter further.
“This was stupid and unacceptable behaviour by the jockey,” read a statement.
“We look to the regulatory authorities to deal with the jockey appropriately and are awaiting the outcome of their investigation.
“The RSPCA can only investigate if we receive an official complaint.”
