Callaghan fined as Fortune appeal dismissed Jimmy Fortune`s appeal over the seven-day ban he received for riding an ill-judged race aboard Port St Charles at Brighton on May 3rd was turned down by the Jockey Club`s disciplinary committee today. But the inquiry took a twist when the panel decided to extend the punishments to include a hefty fine for trainer Neville Callaghan and a 40-day suspension for the horse. After hearing evidence from the rider, they concluded that the rider should have made a greater effort in the second half of the race. However the committee was also 'not satisfied that Fortune`s ride was as a consequence of a failure on his part to comply with the instructions given to him by Callaghan and consequently Callaghan was found to be in breach of Rule 155(ii)'. The punishment was fulfilling a prophecy for the Newmarket trainer - who had declined to attend the hearing - for he had said after Fortune`s original ban: 'Jimmy`s suffered and now he`s going to miss the Dante. And he`s done nothing wrong. 'They haven`t done me, and they haven`t banned the horse. But if they had they`d hear all about it, I can tell you!' Callaghan was fined Stg£1000 and Port St Charles banned from running for 40 days. Speaking from Nottingham races, where he was saddling Iron Mountain, he admitted that the news had come as a total surprise. 'I just thought it was a formality that Jimmy would go down there and win,' Callaghan said. 'I could have gone to the hearing but I didn`t have too. 'I find the decision totally incredible - the horse has got beat again since.' Fortune`s original seven-day ban was re-imposed from May 19th-26th. Willie Supple also Portman Square in an unhappy mood after having his appeal thrown out. The committee considered an appeal lodged by Supple against the decision of the racecourse stewards at Newcastle following to find him guilty of irresponsible riding of a minor nature and to suspend him for four days after his ride on Mercury Rising on May 7th. Evidence was heard from Supple, who was legally represented, and Robert Winston, the rider of Ticker, the winner. But it the committee agreed with the original findings, stating that Supple had manoeuvred to his right, thereby coming into contact with Winston when it should have been obvious to him that interference would be the result. It therefore dismissed his appeal and suspended him from riding for four days, from May 16th-19th.
