Danny Mullins, right © Photo Healy Racing
Jockey Danny Mullins was hit with a 14-day suspension by the stewards at Bellewstown for driving the ambulance back in after his mount Private Treasure was pulled up in the seventh race.
The stewards heard evidence from Danny Mullins who stated that he pulled his mount up injured (after four out). He said it felt to him that it took a long time for assistance to get to him to deal with the situation.
He said he got frustrated and in the heat of the moment he jumped into the Order of Malta vehicle and drove it back, in order to return to the weigh room in time to weigh out for the next race.
Lt Norman Biggane, an Order of Malta representative, gave evidence that Danny Mullins got in the vehicle without consent and that it is his belief that nobody other than Order of Malta personnel are authorised or insured to drive the vehicle.
The stewards banned Mullins for 14 race days under Rule 272 which governs behaviour which is prejudicial to the integrity, conduct and good reputation of racing.
Additional reporting by Alan Magee
