Darley Hit With 10-Day Ban

Kevin Darley received a 10-day ban at Ayr yesterday which rules him out of both the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes and the whole of Glorious Goodwood.

He was suspended from July 22-31 inclusive for not riding out for third place on Meaningful in the opening European Breeders Fund Maiden Stakes.

The colt was beaten a short head for the minor berth by Chookie Windsor.

The race was won by the Howard Johnson-trained Pacific Pride, the mount of Robert Winston.

Darley is seriously considering an appeal, and said: 'I will be discussing the matter with John Blake, secretary of the Jockeys´ Association, and take it from there.

'I was only looking after the welfare of the horse in the closing stages - I was worried that something may have been wrong somewhere.

'If I had reported that when I came in, nothing would have been done.

'I had kept nudging away and it was just instinct that I did it a bit harder when the other horse came alongside.

'That may have made it look as if I had stopped riding and then started again, but I had not stopped.

'I will miss all Glorious Goodwood, and that is my favourite meeting, along with Ascot, so I am not very happy.'

(C) PA Sport